Federal appeal court rules Indigenous groups have no power to veto TMX pipeline

The Trans Mountain Pipeline passed another hurdle today when a federal court dismissed an appeal by First Nations groups. 

The Federal Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that the federal government’s consultations with Indigenous people were both “reasonable” and “meaningful.” 

The decision by the court stated that while Indigenous groups can oppose a project they do not have the power to veto it. 

“The case law is clear that although Indigenous peoples can assert their uncompromising opposition to a project, they cannot tactically use the consultation process as a means to try and veto it,” stated the court ruling. 

“Canada must act in good faith, but at the same time accommodation cannot be dictated by Indigenous groups.”