STATUS OF ENBRIDGE LINE 9 PIPELINE

Currently as in last month the Supreme Court of Canada were sitting on a Decision in a case filed by the Chippewas of the Thames. It relates to the National Energy Board's decision to approve Enbridge's request to reverse the flow in their Line 9 pipeline between Sarnia and Montreal. This reversed flow would bring thicker flow from the Alberta Tarsands east to Montreal.

Many groups opposed this plan due to their concerns that many older sections of the pipeline would be at greater risks of leaks due to the more caustic (acidic?) nature of the tarsands oil as well as due to increased pressure required to move the thicker oil. Keep in mind it was Enbridge who were responsible for a massive oil pipeline leak a few years back in Michigan's Kalamazoo River.

The Chippewas legal challenge is based upon their constitutional right to be consulted on any government decisions which could affect their native hunting and fishing rights. They say that this Canadian Constitutional right under Section 35 was ignored by the government.

Other recent court challenges and victories by Canada's First Nations includes the Truth and Reconcilaition Commission. That was part of a Settlement with the government in a class action lawsuit filed by survivors of Canada's residential schools.

The title of the July 10, 2017 article in the Waterloo Region Record is "Top court keeps Chippewas guessing".