North Coast MLA Gary Coons is taking aim at Enbridge after the company filed a request to limit the amount of time non-Aboriginal presenters can speak to 10 minutes when the Joint Review Panel comes to Prince Rupert this week.
"On July 30 2011 I applied for and received from the panel, 60 minutes to present oral evidence. Attempting to cut that speaking time to 10 minutes only cements the perception that Enbridge is not interested in listening to north coast residents and is trying steamroll past opposition to their project," he said.
"I have an obligation as MLA to do oral evidence on behalf my constituents and of all communities that I have been entrusted to represent. As MLA, my 'community' covers the North Coast riding. I have spent the last six months preparing for my presentation, knowing that there is criteria set out by the panel...I believe I have a responsibility, and a right, as a resident of Prince Rupert for 35 years, to share my 'personal knowledge, my experiences and the potential effects of the project on me and my community'. For Enbridge to flippantly and prematurely accuse individuals of not following protocol is outrageous."