The Skin Tyee First Nation and Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band in northern B.C. can benefit from B.C.’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry after signing agreements with the Province for the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline project.

Pipeline benefit agreements with First Nations are part of the B.C. government’s comprehensive approach to partnering with First Nations on LNG opportunities, which also includes developing skills training and environmental stewardship projects with First Nations.

The Skin Tyee First Nation will receive approximately $2.8 million from the Province at various stages in the project:  $466,000 upon signing the agreement, $1.15 million when pipeline construction begins, and $1.15 million when the pipeline is in service.

The Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band will receive approximately $2.5 million:  $420,000 upon signing the agreement, $1.05 million when construction begins, and $1.05 million when the pipeline is operating.

The terms of the agreement and initial benefit payment will come into effect once the First Nations have signed impact benefit agreements with Coastal GasLink.

Skin Tyee First Nation and Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band will also receive a yet-to-be-determined share of $10 million a year in ongoing benefits per pipeline. The ongoing benefits will be available to First Nations along the natural gas pipeline routes. The B.C. government anticipates signing similar agreements with other nations in the near future.

Provincial benefit-sharing offers First Nations additional tools to partner in economic development, complements industry impact benefit agreements that provide jobs and business opportunities, and is a way for government and First Nations to partner and provide industry with the certainty needed to make investment decisions.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“These agreements enable the Skin Tyee First Nation and Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band to fully participate in the economic opportunities presented by LNG in British Columbia for generations to come. Benefit-sharing agreements such as these allow government and First Nations to come together as partners and provide industry with the certainty needed to make final investment decisions.”

Chief Rene Skin, Skin Tyee First Nation -

“First and foremost, as leaders, we need to decide what is in the best interest of our communities. We believe that the LNG industry is one of the paths to prosperity for our members and all British Columbians through good-paying jobs, economic growth and collaboration on long-term environmental stewardship.”

Chief Raymond Morris, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band -

“Being directly involved in expanding LNG in British Columbia presents our community with an opportunity to benefit from this new industry. The land that we have depended on for generations will continue to provide for our members and contribute to the LNG industry and the provincial economy.”

Quick Facts:

• Both located in the Burns Lake area south of Francois Lake, Skin Tyee First Nation has approximately 185 members and Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band has approximately 145 members.
• Skin Tyee and Nee-Tahi-Buhn First Nations both have Economic and Community Development and Forest Consultation and Revenue Sharing agreements with the Province.
• Both First Nations are among the 15 First Nations located along the Chevron/Apache Pacific Trails Pipeline route that have already signed agreements that will provide $32 million in benefits once construction of that project has started.
• The Province issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate for the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline project on Oct. 24, 2014.
• On Nov. 20, 2014, the Nisga’a Nation and the Province also signed an agreement that will guarantee the nation can benefit from development of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline project. Nisga’a Nation will receive approximately $6 million from the Province at various stages in the project.

Learn More:

Skin Tyee First Nation: wetsuweten.com/communities/skin-tyee/

Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band: wetsuweten.com/communities/nee-tahi-buhn

Information on TransCanada’s proposed CGL pipeline project: ow.ly/EHU66

Information on the Environmental Assessment Certificate issued for the proposed CGL pipeline project: ow.ly/FalhH

Liquefied Natural Gas Income Tax Act: ow.ly/DYOXm

More information on LNG in B.C., including the Province’s latest news, frequently asked questions, and links to LNG skills and training can be found at: engage.gov.bc.ca/lnginbc
and the conversation on LNG can be followed using the hashtag: #LNGinBC

Media Contacts:

Lisa Leslie
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724

Skin Tyee First Nation
Chief Rene Skin
250 694-3517

Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band
Chief Ray Morris
250 694-3494