Tsawwassen First Nation acknowledges today’s announcement regarding the potential designation of Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as a project of national interest.
TFN has worked on this project for decades to ensure our Treaty rights, environment, and harvesting activities are protected through environmental assessment, regulatory review, and negotiations. TFN consented to the project under strict, legally binding conditions; that consent does not constitute support for the project.
While RBT2 may provide national economic and trade benefits, its impacts will be felt most directly by Tsawwassen First Nation. Roberts Bank is immediately adjacent to Tsawwassen First Nation’s community area and within the Tsawwassen Fishing Area. The environmental, cultural, and harvesting impacts of the project fall disproportionately on Tsawwassen people, including impacts to our constitutionally protected Treaty rights to harvest within our territory. TFN expects Canada to fully uphold all existing approvals, conditions, and consultation obligations associated with the project.
TFN will carefully review the implications of today’s announcement and participate in consultation to ensure our rights, interests, and economic development priorities are fully considered.
Chief Laura Cassidy stated:
“Projects designated as being in the national interest must not come at the expense of treaty rights or existing environmental protections. While the benefits of projects like RBT2 may be shared nationally, the impacts are borne most directly by Tsawwassen First Nation in our territory and on the exercise of our Treaty-protected harvesting rights. We expect meaningful consultation, respect for our Treaty rights, and full implementation of the commitments that have already been made to our Nation.”
TFN will provide further comment as additional information becomes available.