“The Teck Frontier project would mean devastation for all our wildlife we depend on. All that is going to be compromised and destroyed forever.” said Jean L’Hommecourt of the Fort McKay First Nation. (Edmonton Journal)
As many as 70 demonstrators gathered inside Canada Place in Edmonton January 22rd on busy lunch hour. They protest the proposed oilsands mine project in northern Alberta. According to protestors the project is be considered by federal cabinet next month.
The protest centred the voices of Indigenous people from the affected areas as it joined demonstrations coordinated by climate action group Extinction Rebellion across the country to call on federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson not to recommend the Teck Frontier project be approved by cabinet. (Edmonton Journal)
A joint provincial-federal review panel found the $20.6-billion project to be in the public interest but noted it would create significant “adverse project and cumulative effects on certain environmental components and Indigenous communities.” This mine, the largest open-pit project proposed in Canada, would produce up to 260.000 barrels of oil daily by 2037 and employ up to 2.700 people during operation, Vancouver-based Teck said. (Edmonton Journal)
Speakers protest said the mine project would violate the rights of Indigenous peoples and culture in the region and make it impossible for Canada to meet its international emissions reduction targets if approved.
Organizers also stressed that community leaders do not represent all the peoples of the land. In fact by using “consultation” the project leader generated the illusion that it’s mean consent.”
“Community members from the greater communities are often left out of the (consultation) table,” said Victoria Guzman of Indigenous-led climate action group Beaver Hills Warriors. (Edmonton Journal)
Obviously this project will have great environmental impact in the region and cumulative effects on Indigenous communities.
“The government will consider a range of factors when they make a decision, including our commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, to advancing reconciliation, to creating good paying middle class jobs, and to growing the economy,” Moira Kelly said spokeswoman for the federal environment minister. (Edmonton Journal)
