Article content

As the Kenney government tries to coax a stampede of investment back into the oilpatch, a First Nations group wants to move forward on a multibillion-dollar energy corridor development that would do exactly that.

But Bill C-48, the federal government’s new ban on oil tankers off the northern coast of British Columbia, stands in its way.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Varcoe: Despite oil tanker ban, Eagle Spirit pipeline backers strive to move ahead Back to video

The Eagle Spirit Energy Corridor Chiefs’ Council wants to ship energy from northern Alberta to a port near the Prince Rupert area of British Columbia, with the corridor containing two large-diameter oil pipelines, as well as two natural gas lines.

The group filed a request Monday with the National Energy Board for guidance regarding its project description requirements, an early step in the regulatory process.

Council chairman Calvin Helin said the group intends to prepare and file a complete project description with the regulator later this year.

But it needs answers now on how new federal legislation could get in the way.