First Nation wants court to block oilsands deal
Posted By THE CANADIAN PRESS
A tiny aboriginal community wants to force Alberta to consult with First Nations in a meaningful way before approving oilsands projects that native leaders say threaten their traditional way of life.
The Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation is asking Court of Queen's Bench to block the approval of Phase 3 of MEG Energy Corp.'s Christina Lake project near Fort McMurray until the province agrees to improve its regulatory process and hold talks with band leaders.
Oilsands development is already destroying the land, animals and fish that the 500-member band depend on, and the Calgary-based company's proposal will only make things worse, Chief Vern Janvier said Wednesday.
"We are totally being taken over," Janvier said during a news conference Wednesday.
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