FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – According to an article from Bloomberg Markets, cabinet ministers are on their way to British Columbia, with a expected announcement on the Pacific NorthWest LNG project.
The article states that Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc left Ottawa for British Columbia after a cabinet meeting this morning. This is according to 2 First Nation leaders who are opposed to the project. Another apparently said he expects the announcement this afternoon. Spokespeople declined to comment for each of the ministers.
Stakeholders now say they expect the project to be approved, the article states.
The project is strongly supported by Christy Clark and British Columbia’s provincial government, but local indigenous groups have been hesitant with concerns about its impact on salmon habitat.
This would be Justin Trudeau’s first first major decision regarding an energy project.
One government official did confirm an announcement would be made this afternoon. The project is estimated to be around $36 billion dollars.
Although what is being announced is not official, the government has an October 2nd deadline for a decision.
According to the article, one First Nation leader, who was supposed to meet with LeBlanc in Ottawa on the project, said his meeting was cancelled Tuesday.
The CBC is also reporting that an announcement will be made this afternoon.