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“OTTAWA — Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says a $2.5-million payment to Indigenous communities that take an equity stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline is about making up for delays in an agreement that is long overdue.”

“OTTAWA - The Canadian government has offered Indigenous groups a collective 15 per cent ownership stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline, advancing a long-promised plan to give First Nations equity in the federally owned pipeline.”

“And 11 months after the Trans Mountain Pipeline Company was created, the 1,150-kilometre Trans Mountain pipeline was given the go-ahead.”

“Since then, the province has unveiled a plan to build a pipeline that follows the route of the Trans Mountain Expansion to B.C.’s Lower Mainland, terminating at the Roberts Bank terminal in Delta, where the very largest tankers could dock.”

“It noted that Pacific Link, alongside improvements to the Trans Mountain system, could lower Canada’s fixed pipeline reliance on the U.S. from roughly 82%-83% of capacity down to 65%-70%.”

“The “carrot” approach can be seen in how Carney’s cabinet is encouraging First Nations to back the Trans Mountain pipeline through a low-cost loan and a $2.5 million payment for willing investors that some are comparing to a bribe.”

“Carney said the proposed pipeline would avoid "highly sensitive areas" and its route would be similar to the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, while the tanker ban along B.C.'s north coast will remain in effect.”

“The complaints commission intended to release on Wednesday the findings of a three-year probe into C-IRG, which was formed in 2017 to police protests against major resource extraction projects, namely the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.”

“The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has given Canadian oil producers greater access to Canada's west coast, allowing crude to reach markets in Asia and reducing some dependence on the US.”