Friday, December 9, 2016

Environmentalists have impoverished First Nations, pro-pipeline chief says


Kinder MorganKinder Morgan says it expects construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline extension to start in 2017.
Kinder Morgan

By John Paul Tasker, CBC News

  'If it weren't for the oil, my people would be in poverty right now': Fort McKay chief Jim Boucher.
   Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline has been vehemently opposed by many First Nations groups, but voices on the other side of the divide emerged Wednesday to launch a strong defence of the oilpatch.
   Chief Jim Boucher told the Assembly of First Nations' gathering in Gatineau, Que,. that his community has seen a financial windfall from its involvement in oil and gas extraction, and that environmentalists should be ignored because they are to blame for widespread poverty in Canada's north.
   His community of Fort McKay, north of Fort McMurray, the epicentre of the oilsands, has an unemployment rate of zero, an average annual income of $120,000, and financial holdings in excess of $2 billion, thanks to its willingness to do business with Canada's oil and gas companies, Boucher said.
That money has been pumped into education, long-term care homes for seniors and other infrastructure projects.
   "When it comes to pipelines and oilsands development, it's clear from our perspective that we need to do more," he said, during an open session on energy policy at the special assembly. "We're pro-oilsands; if it weren't for the oil my people would be in poverty right now."...http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pro-pipeline-trans-mountain-first-nations-poverty-1.3886008

See also... Kinder Morgan | News, Videos & Articles - Global News

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