Frequently Asked Questions
Social and Economic
Q:
The Haida claim ownership over the Queen Charlotte Islands and Hecate
Strait. Don't you need their
permission to develop the offshore industry in that area?
A:
The Province will honour its obligations to First Nations, including
the Haida, with respect to aboriginal rights and title.
Q:
Many coastal First Nations have included parts of the ocean in their
treaty claims - won't those treaties have to be settled before development can
take place?
A:
While many coastal First Nations involved in the Treaty process have
included both the foreshore and the seabed in their claims, the Province does
not believe it is required to conclude treaties in order to proceed with
offshore oil and gas development. In
other resource areas, the Province has entered into interim arrangements with
First Nations.
Q: The Oil and Gas Commission
has agreements with First Nations in Northeastern BC that include payments.
Will similar agreements be negotiated with coastal First Nations?
A:
The Province will enter into discussions with First Nations to consider
the most appropriate arrangements.
Q:
Will there be benefit-sharing arrangements with First Nations?
A:
The Province expects that discussions with First Nations will
cover a wide range of issues and may well include benefit-sharing.
Q:
Will First Nations be offered a co-management role where activities
take place in their claimed traditional areas?
A:
The nature of First Nations' involvement in offshore oil and gas
development will be one of the issues for discussion with First Nations.
Q:
What happens if one First Nation supports development, but has an
overlapping interest over a part of ocean with a First Nation that is opposed
to development of the industry?
A:
While it is possible that there may be differences in approach among
First Nations to offshore development, the Province wishes to engage those
First Nations in a constructive dialogue regarding their differences.
Q: Many First Nations have
special allocations for fishing under agreements with the Federal Government -
will the Province compensate them for lost opportunities if oil and gas
activities scare the fish away?
A:
Any offshore oil and gas development will have to address compensation
in respect of harm to fisheries.
Q:
Will First Nations receive compensation if an oil spill or other
problem related to the industry negatively impacts a traditional or cultural
pursuit?
A:
Potential impacts on First Nations interests are one of the issues that
will have to be addressed.
Q: How will the views of
coastal communities be taken into account in development of the offshore?
A:
The Province, through a variety of means including direct meetings,
will identify the concerns of coastal communities, as well as their views on
potential benefits.
Q:
Do all coastal communities have to agree for development of the
offshore to take place?
A:
While no community will have a veto, a consensus among coastal
communities, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal, supporting development would
be the best outcome.
Q:
Will residents in coastal communities be given the first opportunity
for jobs?
A:
Economic benefit to coastal communities is a priority for the Province;
how this comes about is a matter for discussion with coastal communities,
industry and the federal and provincial governments.
Q:
Will coastal communities receive a direct share of royalties?
A:
How communities will benefit will be the subject of considerable
discussion both between coastal communities and with the federal and
provincial governments.
Q:
What safeguards will be in place to ensure oil and gas activities don't
damage existing tourism, fishing or other industries?
A:
Any development must be done on a basis that is compatible with
existing commercial activities such as tourism and fishing.
Q:
Will communities be compensated if oil and gas development causes any
harm to them?
A:
Any offshore oil and gas development will have to recognize and address
the range of potential impacts, including harm to local communities.
The precise mechanism for this will require negotiation with Canada.
Q:
What are the risks associated with offshore oil and gas development?
A:
The MLAs task force identified the concerns expressed by many
communities over potential environmental impacts.
