‘Pre-approved’ pipelines from Scott Moe have First Nations ready to fight

Moe took to social media Wednesday saying all pipeline projects that cross Saskatchewan would be considered 'pre-approved.'

Premier Scott Moe said Saskatchewan wants pipelines built and is encouraging other provinces and the federal government to get behind the cause.

Moe took to social media Wednesday saying all pipeline projects that cross Saskatchewan would be considered “pre-approved.” It’s something that isn’t sitting right with First Nations communities.

“All pipeline permits going east, west, or south received in Saskatchewan will be considered pre-approved,” the post reads. “We encourage all provinces and the federal government to do the same.”

His office said federal regulations and politics have hindered development and that the energy industry requires certainty.

University of Saskatchewan political scientist Daniel Westlake said pre-approving all pipelines could turn out to be tricky.

“With any kind of pipeline development there’s always concerns over environmental damage, there’s always concerns over relationships with Indigenous people and land that’s affected. I don’t know that pre-approval gets you out of those particular concerns,” Westlake said.

Pipelines that cross provincial boundaries or the Canada-U.S. border are reviewed by the Canada Energy Regulator and approved by the federal government.

Ottawa also has a legal duty to consult Indigenous groups whose treaty rights may be affected by projects.