QNW denounces the funding of the Trans Mountain pipeline

Kahnawake, May 30th 2018 – Québec Native Women is opposed to the decision by the federal government to finance the Trans Mountain Pipeline, and joins its voice to the numerous First Nations and Canadians who denounce this oil expansion project. Several of our Indigenous brothers and sisters are opposed to this expansion, as it goes against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Articles 26 and 29 of this Declaration, which was adopted by the Canadian government, ensure the right of Indigenous peoples to “the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources”, and the obligation of the State to “give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources.” (UNDRIP, 2007)

QNW denounces the dishonesty in Prime Minister Trudeau’s discourse, who claims to want a better future for Canada and better Nation to Nation relations, while simultaneously agreeing to destructive projects, which carry several environmental and socio-economic risks. We feel that rather than giving huge sums of money to Kinder Morgan, the government should instead invest these amounts in protecting the territory and ecosystems that have been weakened by already existing extractive projects, or even in the numerous basic services which have not been assured for First Nations, namely better access to clean drinking water.

“The quest for black gold is not viable and will always be destructive. This project will only benefit a small number of people, but the risks will affect us all, especially First Nations whose territory is on the path of the Trans Mountain pipeline. As Indigenous peoples, our connexion to Mother Earth is essential to our identity, and the government must honour and respect this relationship,” states Viviane Michel, President of Québec Native Women.

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Source :
Julia Couture-Glassco, Communication Officer
communication@faq-qnw.org | 450-632-0088, ext. 232