Read this story in The Tyee on the recent National Energy Board make-up hearings on the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline in Shearwater (a small community adjacent to Bella Bella, BC), which the company chose not to attend. (July 27, 2012)

Preparing to attend and deliver testimony at the Northern Gateway hearing in Shearwater, B.C. this morning, Heiltsuk paddlers canoed across Lama Pass from Bella Bella, only to learn that Enbridge representatives had been unable to travel today.

The news was delivered by National Energy Board lawyer Andrew Hudson who said “their flight was delayed.” Hudson told the crowd at the Denny Island community hall that Enbridge would have the opportunity to submit objections after reviewing today’s transcripts.

The Heiltsuk are in Shearwater to continue testimony before the NEB’s Joint Review Panel (JRP), a body convened by the federal government to study the impacts of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

“We’re really disappointed in Enbridge,” says the Heiltsuk’s elected Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett.

“We’ve accommodated the JRP panel, we’ve worked hard to understand their rules, we’ve worked hard to convey to them the importance of our very sacred lands and waters,” says Slett. “For [Enbridge] not to come out here today to listen to what we have to say is very disrespectful. It tells us that our voice isn’t being heard.”

A Pacific Coastal Airlines staffer in Bella Bella reports that both flights yesterday and both flights today took off on schedule from Vancouver. Pacific Coastal is the only airline offering regular service to the area.

Calls to Enbridge for comment were not immediately returned.

Read more: http://thetyee.ca/News/2012/07/27/Enbridge-Misses-Pipeline-Hearings/