MP left stunned after questioning DFO at Joint Review Panel hearings
Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen said he was left in "stunned silence" during his questioning of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) officials at the Enbridge Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel on April 22.
What took Cullen by surprise was the revelation that the DFO didn't consult with First Nations and commercial or sport fishermen about the impacts of an oil spill in the region.
"The process was more direct than the intervening with Enbridge, but it was remarkably disappointing and worrisome when you find out how little has been done to talk to people in the northwest about the impact of a spill... It is very dangerous and it's offensive and it will likely only increase opposition to the project," he said, acknowledging he's not sure why the step wasn't taken.
"Is it because they don't have the resources because of government cutbacks? Is it because they were told not to because of political pressure from a government that wants this project to go ahead? Whatever the reason is, the fact that the government ignored the commercial fishing sector and First Nations is shocking."
Although he would like to see more consultation with those groups that were missed, Cullen said he is not holding out hope that will happen.
"I think the Prime Minister has long since made up his mind and doesn't want anything that will cause him sleepless nights," he said.
"I don't know how the Prime Minister can feel confident about the risks and potential impacts when he never asked. He's intentionally blinding himself to what we in the northwest cannot."
Access article here: http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/204309481.html