The Haida Nation will get its day in court as it continues the fight to stop the Enbridge Northern Gateway project.
The Federal Court of Appeal ruled on Sept. 26 that the Council of the Haida Nation will be granted standing in its challenge to the federal cabinet approval of the pipeline.
The news was welcomed by Haida Nation President Peter Lantin.
“Our challenge begins. Haida Gwaii’s voice has been heard, and we now move to address the flawed Joint Review Panel process, its unconstitutional activities and the risks that are threatening our Haida way of life,” he said.
“The court’s ruling affirms what we know: We have an arguable case and the process leading to the federal approval, and the decision itself, did not meet the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate the Aboriginal Rights and Title of the Haida Nation.”
As well as the Haida Nation, the Gitxaala Nation of Kitkatla was also granted standing and noted all of the cases could be heard at the same time.