The Federal Court of Appeal has nullified the government’s approvals to build the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.
The $7.4 billion project is now halted indefinitely by this decision which is a major victory for Indigenous groups and environmentalists.
An executive summary of the ruling was written by Justice Eleanor Dawson and released on Thursday morning, revealing that the National Energy Board’s assessment of the project was extremely flawed and too unreliable to base the federal cabinet’s approval for the project in 2016.
The Court’s ruling was also a result of the government failing to “fulfil the legal duty to consult Indigenous peoples”.
A summary of the FCA’s decision in Tsleil-Waututh Nation et al. v. Attorney General of Canada et al. (pertaining to the Trans Mountain pipeline) is available at the following link: https://t.co/sJVJr2nYuS
— Federal Court of Appeal (@FedCourtApp_en) August 30, 2018
The decision has garnered comments from Finance Minister Bill Morneau, and celebrations from First Nations communities, including the Tsleil-Waututh who took Canada to court.
We have received the ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal, and are taking the appropriate time to review the decision. I’ll be speaking to reporters regarding the Trans Mountain Expansion Project later today. https://t.co/r5z9qKraZs
— Bill Morneau (@Bill_Morneau) August 30, 2018
#FCA quashes the #TMEX approvals. Marine shipping illegally excluded and consultation "well short of the mark set by SCC." TWN is pleased that the FCA has recognized our inherent governance rights. Join us for further comment and to hear what comes next at 9:30am at CRAB park.
— TsleilWaututh Nation (@tsleilwaututh) August 30, 2018
“To @JustinTrudeau we say, stop picking fights with indigenous peoples. Behave honourably. We won today and we will win again.” @Khelsilem #cdnpoli #bcpoli #stopKM pic.twitter.com/jngrhummCT
— Tzeporah Berman (@Tzeporah) August 30, 2018
Earlier this year, Green Party leader and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, Elizabeth May was arrested and charged with criminal contempt during a Kinder Morgan pipeline protest in Burnaby on March 23.
May also took to Twitter to celebrate the court’s decision today:
Kinder Morgan permits a "nullity" says Federal Court of Appeal! HOORAY! WE won!! #GPC
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) August 30, 2018