Urgent Update: Mi’kmaw Ownership in Gas Plant Disputed Amid Claims

URGENT UPDATE: Controversy erupts over ownership claims in a proposed natural gas plant in Tantramar, as Mi’kmaw communities refute assertions of financial investment. Despite ProEnergy, the U.S. firm contracted by N.B. Power, promoting an Indigenous ownership stake, officials from Mi’kmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. confirm no ownership exists yet.

In a public meeting held on July 1, 2023, ProEnergy’s vice-president, Landon Tessner, stated the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council is a minority equity holder in the project. However, the council clarified that this remains an option, pending a Mi’kmaq-led review of the project’s impact on their rights. “The Mi’gmaq Chiefs have not made any decision regarding investing in this project,” the organization emphasized.

The proposed site of the gas plant holds significant cultural and ecological importance to the Mi’kmaq Nation. While acknowledging potential benefits, such as strengthening the provincial power grid, Mi’kmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. insists that without meaningful addressing of their concerns, the project cannot proceed without their consent. “If concerns about impacts are not meaningfully addressed, then the project does not get Mi’gmaq consent,” stated Raven Boyer, communications co-ordinator for MTI.

Opposition is mounting as Elsipogtog First Nation, a key player not part of the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council, has declared its “unequivocal opposition” to the gas plant plan. Their statement warns of potential legal actions if the project advances, citing it as a risk for widespread Indigenous resistance. “If this project continues to move forward, know that it will be met with legal and direct action,” they asserted.

Premier Susan Holt has faced backlash for her claims of Indigenous partnership in the project. She previously highlighted the supposed co-ownership by Mi’kmaw communities during a August 1, 2023 interview. However, the lack of verified equity stake raises questions about the integration of Indigenous interests in this initiative.

Confusion around the negotiations has been echoed by various leaders, including Chief Terry Richardson of the Pabineau First Nation, who suggested that communication errors contributed to the misunderstandings regarding ownership roles. He noted frustrations over the project’s rapid progression without proper consultation with all relevant parties.

Opponents argue that N.B. Power is sidestepping necessary regulatory scrutiny in its pursuit of the gas plant, with escalating emissions estimates sparking further concern among advocacy groups. Meanwhile, ProEnergy maintains that the project will ultimately enable a net reduction of 250,000 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions, a claim that has yet to satisfy critics.

The unfolding situation emphasizes the critical importance of respectful and informed dialogue between project developers and Indigenous communities. As negotiations continue, the Mi’kmaq leadership is urging all parties to carefully assess the implications of the gas plant on their rights and heritage.

As developments progress, attention will remain focused on how the Mi’kmaw communities respond to the proposal and whether the project can gain the necessary consent to move forward. The urgency of the situation highlights the need for transparency and collaboration in the planning stages of such impactful projects.