At the announcement of the completion of regulations for the development of the Kitimat LNG liquefied natural gas facility
Vancouver, BC
January 22, 2013
Check against delivery
Good morning and welcome.
Elders, representatives from the province of British Columbia, Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross, it is my great pleasure to join you today.
It is no secret that while Canada's economy remains strong, the global economic picture remains uncertain.
That is why our government remains focused on creating jobs, economic growth and long term prosperity.
I'm here today to talk to you about another step we are taking to create well paying jobs for Canadians and economic growth.
Our natural resources represent a tremendous economic advantage and opportunity for Canada. The world needs our minerals and ores, our timber, our energy.
And our challenge lies in ensuring that our country's resource companies can access markets for their goods.
That is why I am pleased to announce today that our government has completed the regulations necessary for the development of the $4 billion Kitimat LNG liquefied natural gas facility on the Haisla First Nation's Bees Indian Reserve No. 6.
The proposed project will provide Canada's energy producers with a doorway to overseas markets, in addition to creating jobs and economic development opportunities not just for the Haisla First Nation, but the entire northwest region of British Columbia.
That's good news for members of the Haisla Nation, good news for British Columbia, and good news for all Canadians.
These regulations are passed under the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act, known as FNCIDA, which allows the federal government to develop regulations for complex commercial and industrial development projects on reserve in partnership with First Nations and Provincial governments.
For First Nations, FNCIDA can remove the barriers they face in pursuit of economic development opportunities, while providing the certainty investors require, and assuring the community that the necessary oversight measures are in place.
Together with the Province of British Columbia and the Haisla Nation, the Government of Canada has also signed an agreement which ensures administrative, monitoring and compliance activities for the facility are performed and enforced by provincial officials who have the necessary experience and expertise.
As a result, the regulatory pieces are now in place for project to proceed.
I want to commend all involved for their vision, their commitment and their leadership on this project.
The business opportunities that will stem from it are far reaching.
The Kitimat LNG is being constructed on Haisla Nation reserve land at Bish Cove, approximately 650 kilometers north of Vancouver.
The facility will have the capacity to produce approximately five million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year, nearly 700 million cubic feet per day, and will have access to a marine terminal that will allow it to be shipped overseas. That kind of capacity requires many skilled workers and many willing hands. These jobs will benefit the Haisla Nation and surrounding communities as well.
To protect the environment as it relates to natural gas production, together with the Province of British Columbia we have completed an environmental assessment pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. With our partners, we will ensure that the LNG plant is designed and built to industrial safety standards and that the operation is properly regulated.
This large scale project was made possible through strategic business partnerships and a willingness to work together, with the goal of increasing economic development opportunities.
It also supports the strategic priorities of the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development to enhance the value of Aboriginal assets and to forge new and effective partnerships to maximize economic development potential. The Framework, established in 2009, increases the participation of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in the Canadian economy and improves economic opportunities for Aboriginal people in all parts of Canada.
This is an excellent example of how using the legislative and regulatory tools that are available can spur sustainable economic development and enable long term growth, and help to open markets for Canada's energy producers.
I wish the Haisla Nation every success over the coming years as this project is launched and becomes operational.
My warmest congratulations to you all.
Thank you.
