Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Shell Canada project

A recent court ruling has rejected claims by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation concerning the Shell Canada project. The ACFN had claimed in federal court documents that Ottawa did not consult the group enough during the Shell Canada project review, and the group was hoping to have the project’s approval overturned by the court but this did not happen. AFCN Chief Allan Adams told the media “Regardless of this decision, it’s obvious to ACFN there has not been adequate consultation to thoroughly understand the long term impacts or proven ways to mitigate the destruction of these massive development projects.” Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq approved the Shell Canada project but attached 88 conditions which needed to be met.

When considering the claims by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation about the Shell Canada project Justice Daniele Tremblay-Lamer said “Within its jurisdictional authority, Canada has endeavoured to accommodate the ACFN with conditions binding on Shell and through more expansive regulatory schemes; in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction, Canada has committed itself to collaborating with Alberta and offering support. The Project’s conditions were designed with a measure of flexibility precisely so that they could adapt to changes and developments in the Project, which is still at the preliminary stage. Canada’s accommodations, adequate in themselves, bear witness to the attentive, responsive consultation that Canada has afforded the ACFN throughout the process.” Jeff Mann, who is the spokesperson for Shell Canada, had no comment when asked about the court’s ruling. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation group has not announced whether they will appeal the ruling or not.