VANCOUVER, May 11, 2015 — The B.C. government revealed Sunday it has revenue-sharing agreements in place with 28 First Nations for planned pipelines meant to supply proposed billion-dollar LNG plants on the coast of B.C.
The province had publicly announced eight pipeline agreements with First Nations on four separate pipeline proposals in northwest B.C.
The details of the 20 other agreements and who they are with are being kept under wraps — at the request of the First Nations — because the native groups are in negotiations with companies as well, said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad, who revealed the larger number of agreements that have been signed.
Rustad noted the province also has agreements in place on revenue-sharing with First Nations in northeast B.C. where natural gas is extracted.
The province is in negotiations with another seven First Nations, said Rustad, and if they reach agreement, will have unanimous support from First Nations of its major push to establish a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industry to energy-hungry Asia.