The following letter was sent to B.C.’s premier; and to Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low-carbon innovation, and to Selina Robinson, finance minister:
February 16, 2021
Dear Premier Horgan and Ministers Ralston and Robinson,
I am writing to express First Nations LNG Alliance support for Geoscience BC’s minerals, energy and water earth science research that attracts investment and jobs, stimulates innovation and enables climate action throughout British Columbia. It supports CleanBC and Indigenous reconciliation goals and is a valuable economic stimulus as we look to a post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
We support Geoscience BC’s request to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation for:
- Year-end provincial funding of $6.5 million for fiscal year 2021/22 to allow Geoscience BC to begin new research that is in high demand;
- A forum to discuss long-term funding mechanism options; and
- A commitment to long-term joint approach to federal government to leverage provincial funding.
We believe that demand for BC’s natural resources can position us well for a post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery, providing a unique opportunity to bring jobs and investment while working toward the goals of CleanBC and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Geoscience BC’s independent, dynamic, robust and transparent approach to public earth science research is an important ingredient in this recipe for success.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (604) 612-5980 or ceo@fnlngalliance.com if you or your colleagues would like to discuss the value of Geoscience BC’s work to First Nations LNG Alliance, and people throughout British Columbia.
Kind regards,
[Signature]
Karen Ogen-Toews
Chief Executive Officer, First Nations LNG Alliance
- See also: A new water-research program will gather Western science and Indigenous knowledge data to increase understanding of water quality and water quantity in the Peace region: http://bit.ly/3knMDZh
