"Court Overturns Ottawa’s Approval Of Northern Gateway Pipeline"

"Enbridge Inc. and its oil industry partners have seen their faint hope for the Northern Gateway pipeline project dealt a major blow Thursday as the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the permit issued by the federal cabinet two years ago.

The three-justice panel concluded that the former Conservative government failed in its duty to consult First Nations prior to issuing a cabinet order approving the $7.9-billion pipeline that would deliver 525,000 barrels a day of oil sands crude to the West Coast for export to Pacific markets.

First Nations and environmental groups celebrated the victory Thursday, but Northern Gateway president John Carruthers said the consortium remains committed to the “critical infrastructure project” and would determine next steps. The companies have signed some 31 aboriginal communities along the route to equity agreements but face a wall of opposition among coastal First Nations, who fear a major spill would destroy the marine environment."

Shawn McCarthy And Jeff Lewis report for the Toronto Globe and Mail June  30, 2016.