Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister McKenna,

I stand with Hereditary Chief Yahaan (Donald Wesley) of the Tsimshian First Nation and 70+ First Nations leaders, prominent scientists, businesses, faith groups, unions, environmental organizations, and university groups across BC calling on you to reject the Petronas (Pacific Northwest) LNG plant proposed for Lelu Island and Flora Bank, and to cancel ongoing test-drilling at the site.  

I ask that you consider the catastrophic impact this project will have on the Skeena salmon, the second largest wild salmon run in Canada. 10 First Nations and 60,000 people in the Skeena watershed rely on these fish for food, commercial/sport fishing and culture.  Lelu Island and Flora Bank are the worst possible spots on the north coast to site an LNG facility.

Research conducted as far back as the 1970’s by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans clearly shows that this location should never be industrially developed. Recent studies conclusively show that 88% of all Skeena salmon, approximately 330 million out-migrating smolts per year, rely on Flora Bank for shelter, food and protection as they adjust from fresh water to salt water. A massive LNG terminal with super tankers could disrupt the balance of complex river and tidal currents that hold the relic sediments of Flora Bank in place, eventually degrading and destroying this critically important habitat.

I urge you to respect the decision of the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation, who despite being offered over $1 billion dollars by PNW LNG to support the project, voted 100% unanimously against this project on their traditional territory. They stated clearly that Flora Banks is off-limits to industrial development. 

The Federal Government has promised to renew Canada’s relationship with First Nations and protect northern BC’s irreplaceable marine resources. If you stand by these commitments, you will reject the pending approval of the Pacific Northwest LNG project by CEAA, and you will direct the test drilling on Flora Bank to cease.

Finally, please read the following letter from Hereditary Chief Yahaan and view the list of signatories: 

http://www.laxuula.com/#!letter-to-prime-minister-trudeau-pnw-lng/n76zu