The chief of a neighbouring First Nation says the process around the Steelhead LNG/Malahat joint project announced in August is “disrespectful and insulting”.
Steelhead and Malahat are working to get approval for an LNG export terminal at Bamberton, on land Malahat bought earlier this year.
Steelhead is also working with a US company on a pipeline to bring natural gas to the Island to feed the project.
But Chief Don Tom, of the Tsartlip First Nation says at no point were they consulted, or even given advance notice, “We oppose the aggressive approach taken by Steelhead LNG and their Board of Directors by publicly announcing the project prior to any discussions with the Tsartlip community.”
Tom says they plan to meet with Steelhead on September 11th to make it clear an LNG project won’t proceed without their approval .
“Tsartlip takes tremendous pride in protecting all aspects of our community and will not subject our people to the risks around pipelines and LNG terminals, so far their process can be characterized as disrespectful and insulting,” he says.
