Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson issued an apology to Coastal First Nations for his regrettable choice of words when offering to meet with the group in Vancouver on Friday. Despite the opposition of the alliance of nine First Nations to a bitumen pipeline to the northern B.C. coast, Hodgson expressed his willingness to engage in discussions following an agreement signed between Ottawa and Alberta aimed at advancing such a project.
Hodgson downplayed concerns raised by Marilyn Slett, the group’s president, regarding the short notice of the meeting, suggesting that a virtual meeting via Zoom could easily accommodate their participation. Following the interview on CBC’s Power & Politics, the minister later extended an apology to the group within 24 hours for his earlier remarks.
In response, Slett characterized Hodgson’s initial comments as disrespectful and indicative of a lack of understanding of their communities. Emphasizing their successful collaborations with the federal and B.C. governments on environmental initiatives in the Great Bear Rainforest and Sea, Slett emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue for continued progress and economic contributions.
Hodgson reassured that he would be willing to travel in person to meet with the group, demonstrating a commitment to engaging in productive discussions moving forward.