On June 18, as described in an earlier WCR post, Government gives the go- ahead to Trans Mountain pipeline despite declaring a climate emergency. By July 8, two court challenges have been filed against the decision. Six First Nations, led by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation , filed a court challenge on the grounds that the federal government failed in the requirement to adequately consult them. More details are described in First Nations launch new court challenge to Trans Mountain pipeline at the CBC (July 9), and First Nations renew court battle to stop Trudeau and Trans Mountain in the National Observer.
Another separate appeal was also filed on July 8 by EcoJustice on behalf of Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Living Oceans Society, on grounds that the government decision doesn’t comply with the responsibility to protect endangered southern resident killer whales, whose survival would be threatened by increased tanker traffic. CBC reports here, the National Observer also reports in “Conservationists file legal challenge to Trans Mountain reapproval over whales.”