The dispute between the Coast Tsmishian First Nation and the Port will get a helping hand shortly.
The Federal government appointed a long time B. C. civil servant to try and help the two sides work out an arrangement to put the current problems behind them.
Robert Plecas, who has been a deputy minister for 25 provincial ministers over the years, was appointed as a special representative to assist the Federal government in their discussions on the issue.
The Vancouver Sun had further details on the appointment and where the controversy stands after last weeks events in federal court.
Rupert port dispute gets help
Marke Andrews
Vancouver Sun
Saturday, June 02, 2007
FIRST NATIONS - The federal government Friday appointed a veteran B.C. civil servant to assist in a dispute between the Coast Tsimshian First Nation and the Prince Rupert Port Authority over the current expansion of the Prince Rupert port.
Robert Plecas, who has served as deputy minister for 25 provincial ministers in 10 portfolios, was appointed Friday as a special representative to assist the federal government in discussions with first nations and the Prince Rupert Port Authority over the Fairview Container Terminal project, which is nearing the end of construction. The appointment was made jointly by Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice and International Trade Minister David Emerson.
The appointment came two days after Judge Francois Lemieux issued a 22-page decision which granted a 30-day extension to the Coast Tsimshian to file a judicial review application against an October 2005 decision limiting the scope of consultations.
The Coast Tsimshian First Nation has threatened to stop the October opening of the new container terminal, believing its members were not properly consulted and compensated. Chief councillor Harold Leighton of the Metlakatla Band claims the development sits in the middle of the band's traditional territory. In an April statement, he said, "We will not allow Phase 1 to commence operations unless our concerns have been addressed."
Phase 1 construction of the terminal, which will give it capacity to handle up to 500,000 cargo containers annually, is now 80-per-cent complete, and the port expects the expanded facility to receive its first containers in late September or early October.
Despite recent developments, Barry Bartlett, the port's manager of communications and public affairs, said progress is "steady as she goes ... at this stage it's speculation, and we're very optimistic this won't delay [the opening]."
Last September, the Coast Tsimshian bands' attempt to seek a Federal Court injunction against the Ministry of Transportation to stop approval of the port was rejected.
According to the port's website, the port and the federal government consulted with the Coast Tsimshian for 18 months, and on Feb. 28, 2006, made a $7.65-million offer of accommodation -- which included aboriginal job training and aboriginal economic development -- to which, Bartlett said, the Tsimshian have not responded.
Leighton did not return a call seeking comment for this story.
The Federal government appointed a long time B. C. civil servant to try and help the two sides work out an arrangement to put the current problems behind them.
Robert Plecas, who has been a deputy minister for 25 provincial ministers over the years, was appointed as a special representative to assist the Federal government in their discussions on the issue.
The Vancouver Sun had further details on the appointment and where the controversy stands after last weeks events in federal court.
Rupert port dispute gets help
Marke Andrews
Vancouver Sun
Saturday, June 02, 2007
FIRST NATIONS - The federal government Friday appointed a veteran B.C. civil servant to assist in a dispute between the Coast Tsimshian First Nation and the Prince Rupert Port Authority over the current expansion of the Prince Rupert port.
Robert Plecas, who has served as deputy minister for 25 provincial ministers in 10 portfolios, was appointed Friday as a special representative to assist the federal government in discussions with first nations and the Prince Rupert Port Authority over the Fairview Container Terminal project, which is nearing the end of construction. The appointment was made jointly by Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice and International Trade Minister David Emerson.
The appointment came two days after Judge Francois Lemieux issued a 22-page decision which granted a 30-day extension to the Coast Tsimshian to file a judicial review application against an October 2005 decision limiting the scope of consultations.
The Coast Tsimshian First Nation has threatened to stop the October opening of the new container terminal, believing its members were not properly consulted and compensated. Chief councillor Harold Leighton of the Metlakatla Band claims the development sits in the middle of the band's traditional territory. In an April statement, he said, "We will not allow Phase 1 to commence operations unless our concerns have been addressed."
Phase 1 construction of the terminal, which will give it capacity to handle up to 500,000 cargo containers annually, is now 80-per-cent complete, and the port expects the expanded facility to receive its first containers in late September or early October.
Despite recent developments, Barry Bartlett, the port's manager of communications and public affairs, said progress is "steady as she goes ... at this stage it's speculation, and we're very optimistic this won't delay [the opening]."
Last September, the Coast Tsimshian bands' attempt to seek a Federal Court injunction against the Ministry of Transportation to stop approval of the port was rejected.
According to the port's website, the port and the federal government consulted with the Coast Tsimshian for 18 months, and on Feb. 28, 2006, made a $7.65-million offer of accommodation -- which included aboriginal job training and aboriginal economic development -- to which, Bartlett said, the Tsimshian have not responded.
Leighton did not return a call seeking comment for this story.
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