Two Treaty 8 First Nations have signed project agreements with the province and TransCanada Corporation over construction of two proposed pipelines for northeast BC.
Both the province and TransCanada announced Monday deals had been struck with Doig River and Halfway River First Nations on both the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) and Coastal GasLink pipelines. The deal will see payments flow to the bands if construction of the pipelines start and become operational.
In the deal reached with with the province, Doig River will see a total of $1.29 million in payments if three construction milestones for the PRGT pipeline are reached — $168,000 upon the agreement coming into effect, $560,000 when construction begins, and $560,000 once the pipeline is operating — according to the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Communications.
Halfway River will see a total of $2 million as milestones are reached, receiving $336,000, $840,000, and $840,000 respectively, the ministry said.
As well, the province will give Doig River First Nation $1.35 million and Halfway River $2.4 million as construction milestones for the Coastal GasLink project are reached. Doig River will receive $175,500 upon the agreement coming into effect, $585,000 when construction begins, and $585,000 once the pipeline is operating. Halfway River will receive $406,000 upon the agreement coming into effect, $1.02 million when construction begins, and $1.02 million once the pipeline is operating.
Both nations will also receive a share of $10 million in annual provincial payments to First Nations that sign agreements along the route of the pipelines. They will also have access to a $30 million shared pot for skills training.
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