PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 9 NO. 52
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
FREE
News The Prince Rupert rental crunch Page 3
Feature Heart of our City: Chris Green Page 11
Sports All Native Tourney shaping up Page 17
Community City in the spirit with donations Page 23
Metlakatla, Pacific NorthWest ink deal BY SHAUN THOMAS PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
Just days removed from signing a taxation agreement with Port Edward, Pacific NorthWest LNG announced on Thursday it had signed a term sheet for an impact benefits agreement with the Metlakatla First Nation. The term sheet, which came following “intensive negotiations” between the company, the province and the Metlkatla Development Corporation and Stewardship office, outlines benefits that will come to Metlakatla over the course of 40 years should the Lelu Island terminal proceed and includes commitments from the company to mitigate economic concerns. The band will receive an initial payment for signing the term sheet and providing a letter
“Metlakatla has arrived at an agreement ... that will benefit our members.” - Harold Leighton of support for the project. Other benefits include access to employment, training and capacity development, financing for cultural support, lump sum annual payments based on the number of LNG trains operating, and Metlakatla participation in ongoing environmental monitoring. “We have weighed the potential benefits, with the impacts of the terminal proposed for Lelu Island and have worked to negotiate the
best agreement for Metlakatla,” said Chief Harold Leighton. “Metlakatla has arrived at an agreement with Pacific NorthWest LNG that will benefit our members for the lifetime of the project.” Pacific NorthWest LNG president Michael Culbert said the agreement is another milestone for the company as it moves toward a final investment decision. “Pacific NorthWest LNG would like to commend and thank Metlakatla leadership and staff for the time and effort that led to today’s announcement. This agreement exemplifies the constructive dialogue we have engaged in to-date and what can happen when we work together to achieve common goals,” he said. Specific details on payments and other opportunities remains confidential.
From our family to yours, warmest wishes for a happy holiday.
Gordon Kobza www.gordonkobza.com
250.624.9298 Suite 6 - 342 3rd Ave W. info@gordonkobza.com