Meeting was held with the Métis community in Hudson’s hope to discuss the up and coming Coast Gas Link Project with TransCanada. This is the start to future community meetings to discuss Métis traditional land use, community benefits and impacts on Métis communities. The TransCanada Coast Gaslink project proposes to build a natural gas pipeline to Kitimat.

Karen Andrews Aboriginal liaison for TransCanada explained the project and discussed with the Métis community future opportunities which could be explored such as training, business opportunities and future involvement of the Métis community in its development. They hope to commence environmental studies in 2013 that could provide jobs and training to the Métis community.

The Métis community expressed concerns of environmental impact, studies, increased crime rates due to the increased influx of workers on the aboriginal population particularly the vulnerable population women and children. Future exploration of aboriginal involvement in environmental assessments are possible, expressed were challenges of the absence of qualified and trained aboriginal persons to carry out project requirements.TransCanada expressed that future training opportunities would be available for youth to enter the workforce and future local training facilities are being explored. Within the meeting participants expressed the challenges of housing for the influx of workers within the north peace area.

Contact with all Aboriginal groups First Nations and Métis are a priority. In the north we are elated to see Industry consultation with Métis within the project area and inclusion in regards to Métis consultation and community impacts. Future consultation is forthcoming as exploration of the project commences in 2013.