A historic shift in energy development as a First Nation becomes the majority owner of Canada’s newest low-carbon LNG export project, illustrating Cedar LNG Haisla ownership and rewriting what environmental justice, sovereignty, and profit look like.
Opening Summary
In June 2024, the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation reached a landmark Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Cedar LNG project—a floating LNG export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia. What makes it unique: the Haisla Nation controls 50.1 percent, which makes Cedar LNG the first majority-Indigenous owned LNG facility in Canada. The terminal will process 3.3 million tonnes of LNG per year, draw renewable electricity from BC Hydro, and begin operations in late 2028. (businesswire.com)
Why This Matters: Context and Significance
The Cedar LNG project goes far beyond energy export. Its importance shows up in three ways:
- Indigenous ownership and decision-making: For decades, most Canadian resource projects included Indigenous communities only as consultation partners or minority shareholders. Cedar LNG changes that dynamic. The Haisla sit in the driver’s seat as majority owners. (newswire.ca)
- Environmental commitment: The project will run on clean hydroelectricity, sit on Haisla-owned land, and operate as one of the world’s lowest-emission LNG terminals. (businesswire.com)
- Economic reconciliation and sovereignty: Many First Nations have long faced limited or conditional economic opportunities. Here, the Haisla set the terms. Jobs, revenues, and long-term planning revolve around their community. (canada.ca)
How It Unfolded: Leadership, Challenges, and Key Players
Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics
Several factors explain how the Haisla gained control:
- Negotiation & Partnerships: The Haisla first entered LNG conversations through nearby projects such as LNG Canada and the Coastal GasLink pipeline. These early steps gave them leverage to secure ownership and supply deals. (reuters.com)
- Funding & Risk: Majority control required major financial backing. The Haisla borrowed C$1.4 billion through the First Nations Finance Authority, marking the largest loan in its history. (reuters.com)
- Regulatory and Environmental Hurdles: The community secured an environmental certificate after years of work on clean energy sourcing, emissions controls, and marine protections. (news.gov.bc.ca)
- Leadership: Former Chief Councillor Crystal Smith guided early strategy and engagement, while current Chief Councillor Maureen Nyce now drives implementation. Pembina’s role brought both technical and market expertise. (newswire.ca)
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Short- and Long-Term Impacts on Communities, Industry, and Climate
Immediate Effects
- Construction will create about 500 jobs, with roughly 100 permanent roles once the facility operates. (news.gov.bc.ca)
- The community faces heavy financial pressure. Debt repayment, potential cost overruns, and LNG market volatility could stretch local governance and resources.
Long-Term Implications
- Economic sovereignty: With profits, the Haisla can reinvest in health care, education, housing, and cultural programs. More than 90 percent of members supported the plan in community votes. (reuters.com)
- Blueprint for others: Cedar LNG sets a precedent. Already, other First Nations push for majority stakes in resource projects, inspired by the Haisla example. (reuters.com)
- Climate questions: Using hydro power keeps emissions low, but critics argue LNG exports still lock in fossil fuel dependence. Lifecycle emissions, methane leakage, and overseas demand will remain under scrutiny.
Public Sentiment, Missing Pieces, and What’s Next
Public reactions range from enthusiastic to skeptical:
- Many Haisla members and local residents see the project as proof of self-determination.
- Environmental organizations acknowledge Indigenous leadership but warn that LNG expansion undermines Canada’s climate commitments.
- Some neighbors express concern about marine life, fishing grounds, and wildlife habitats.
Coverage often overlooks key details:
- Voices of youth and traditional leaders who oppose the project.
- How profits will be distributed and debt managed if markets weaken.
- The broader environmental trade-offs upstream and downstream.
Possible Solutions & Calls to Action
- Publish transparent plans for reinvestment, debt repayment, and community benefits.
- Create independent, Indigenous-led environmental monitoring systems.
- Expand financing tools for First Nations so they can access capital without punitive terms.
- Align federal energy and climate policy to ensure LNG serves as a bridge, not a barrier, to net-zero goals.
Takeaway: Looking Forward
Ownership changes the narrative. The Cedar LNG project marks more than a milestone for the Haisla—it redefines how resource projects can respect Indigenous leadership while addressing global energy needs. If managed carefully, this model could inspire a new era of equity-driven development. The challenge lies in ensuring that profits reach the community, costs stay under control, and environmental promises turn into practice.
