B.C. First Nation wants LNG export licence revoked

A First Nation in northern B.C. is asking the Federal Court to overturn an LNG export licence. 

In February, the National Energy Board approved a licence for LNG Canada to export 670 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas from Kitimat over 25 years. Shell Canada is proposing to build the $4 billion facility.     

Gitxaala First Nation chief councillor Elmer Moody says the federal government failed to consult with his community, and wants the court to revoke the export licence.

"So until Canada actually comes to the table to start negotiating with Gitxaala in relation to identification of those rights, it hasn't fulfilled its obligations."

Moody says the project would impact his community.

"It would have an impact in relation to the harvesting of resources," he said. "It would have an impact to the environment itself."

But Shell Canada spokesperson David Williams says those issues will be dealt with at a later stage.

"The export licence looks at the quantity of gas available for export," he said. "It doesn't give a green light to the project in any way."

Earlier this week, Shell Canada submitted its project description to the Environmental Assessment Office.

The public is now invited to comment on the proposal.