TransCanada reaches deals with three more B.C. First Nations for pipeline

TransCanada Corp. says it has reached project agreements with three more First Nations in northern British Columbia to build a pipeline across the province to a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the coast.

Specifics of the agreements weren't announced, but TransCanada said they provide for annual legacy payments over the commercial life of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline plus benefits upon signing and at other milestones.

The latest agreements are with the Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Yekooche First Nation. TransCanada has previously reached four other agreements with Lake Babine Nation, Nisga'a Lisims Government, Gitanyow First Nation and Kitselas First Nation.

According to the project website, the 900-kilometre pipeline is expected to deliver natural gas from Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility on Lelu Island south of Prince Rupert.

Last month B.C. Premier Christy Clark said the province had reached an agreement in principle with Pacific NorthWest LNG, owned in majority by Malaysia's Petronas, for the $36 billion project on B.C.'s northwest coast.

But members of the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation in northwestern British Columbia have rejected a $1.15-billion offer from Malaysia's Petronas to build the LNG terminal on Lelu Island, because of concerns over the project's potential impact on neighbouring Flora Bank, a marine ecosystem immediately adjacent to Lelu Island.