VANCOUVER—Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, conservation organizations and community groups have called for an investigation on Friday into the federal approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion after a National Observer investigative story alleged the process was “rigged.”

Phillip said in an interview that these new allegations may lead to further lawsuits and litigation but before then, an investigation is needed to determine whether the approval was improperly influenced.

The National Observer reported this week that when the consultation process was still ongoing, a government insider said that “a high-ranking public servant” instructed them “to give cabinet a legally-sound basis to say ‘yes’ to Trans Mountain.”

StarMetro has not confirmed the allegations within the National Observer story.

In response to the Observer’s story, Natural Resources Canada said in an emailed statement that “these consultations were undertaken in good faith.” The Trans Mountain expansion was approved, “because it is in the national interest.” It emphasized that it sought “non-partisan advice, conducting the most thorough review of any energy project.”

But pipeline opponents, including Phillip and Greenpeace, believe the allegations in the National Observer warrant an investigation.

Mike Hudema, climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace, said there are two ways the federal government should move forward. One is to appoint an independent investigator or establish an all-party committee with the information shared with the public to determine how serious these allegations are.

There are currently seven First Nations awaiting court decisions that could overturn the approval of the pipeline project due to improper consultation.

“If this was a rigged process from the very start, then the multiple Indigenous lawsuits against this project, that judge should have a very easy decision to make,” Hudema said.

StarMetro has also reached out to the National Energy Board for comment about the allegations, but did not receive a response in time for publishing.

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