Overview

• Federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin issued an Impact Assessment Act decision allowing the project to seek permits as B.C. granted an environmental certificate with 23 enforceable conditions.
• Provincial requirements include meeting the net‑zero policy with five‑year updates, preparing a health services plan, prioritizing regional and Indigenous hiring, and connecting to BC Hydro when service is available.
• The federal decision found some effects within federal jurisdiction to be significant but limited with mitigation, imposing conditions to protect fish and birds, Indigenous health and socio‑economic conditions, and cultural heritage with follow‑up programs.
• B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office consulted 10 First Nations; consent was granted by the Gitga’at and Kitselas, denied by the Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla and Kitsumkalum, and a Haida letter opposed associated vessel traffic, while environmental groups also objected.
• The project envisions two floating LNG units at Pearse Island producing about 12 mtpa from 1.7–2 bcf/d starting as early as 2028–2029, carries a current cost estimate near C$10 billion with analyses citing higher potential costs, and holds a 40‑year export licence with a reported Shell offtake.