First Nations communities call for hold on pipeline hearings

Three First Nations communities in New Brunswick are calling for National Energy Board hearings on the Energy East pipeline to be put on hold until they can meet with the Crown.

Woodstock, Madawaska and Tobique First Nations are upset over dramatic cuts to funding for intervenors at the hearings.  

The NEB unilaterally cut funding for intervenors from $80,000 to $40,000 dollars to accommodate as many groups as possible.  

The three communities say that's not enough for them to carry out the research needed. 

Their lawyer, Renée Pelletier, says they want a meeting with the Crown "to talk about the consultation process for the review of the pipeline as well as adequate funding. And they've asked that until that happens that the NEB process be put to a halt." 

Pelletier says the federal government has to play a role in this process, since First Nations in New Brunswick have constitutional rights over land use.