Our news release, sent to national and BC news media on 14 February 2023
First Nations LNG Alliance to spearhead LNG development on behalf of Nations and Canadian companies
The First Nations LNG Alliance (FNLNGA) has reached an agreement with the Canadian LNG Alliance and member companies to lead sustainable liquefied natural gas development and future exports on behalf of First Nations and industry across Canada.
Formed in 2015, the BC-based FNLNGA was created to ensure First Nations benefit from LNG development on the west coast of British Columbia, becoming active participants, commercial partners and proponents.
“We have an incredible opportunity to develop a thriving LNG export business in B.C. and Canada, which for the first time in history is undertaken with full Indigenous participation,” said FNLNGA CEO Karen Ogen.
In March 2023, two of B.C.’s most active LNG participants will join the First Nations LNG Alliance. LNG Canada and FortisBC, both former members of the Canadian LNG Alliance, have been accepted as FNLNGA affiliate members.
“We believe a formal relationship with industry is essential to building confidence in our burgeoning LNG sector,” said Ogen. “We are also growing our Alliance by adding First Nations in other provinces, and we welcome interest from other groups. We recognize that LNG is the only available energy source for the timely transition from traditional fossil fuels to cleaner, reliable, long-term energy.”
Teresa Waddington, LNG Canada’s vice president of corporate relations said: “Participating in economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities is a top priority for LNG Canada. We have always recognized First Nations as essential partners in LNG development, and we’re excited to work with the Alliance in leading industry advocacy and policy development.”
Doug Slater, FortisBC’s vice president of external and Indigenous relations, said: “We are excited to work with the First Nations LNG Alliance to support the vital role that LNG will play in reconciliation, decarbonization of the marine shipping sector, and improving our local air quality.”
Said Ogen: “The Asian market offers tremendous economic opportunities for First Nations and the entire Canadian economy, but we need to move quickly before these opportunities are lost to the United States, Australia, and the Middle East.”
LNG Canada is building Canada’s first large-scale LNG-for-export facility in Kitimat BC in the territory of the Haisla Nation. FortisBC has two LNG plants in BC: the Mount Hayes LNG storage facility near Ladysmith on Vancouver Island and the Tilbury LNG facility in Delta.
(Posted here 14 February 2023)
