VICTORIA — The British Columbia and federal governments have approved a significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in the province's northwest, despite opposition from some First Nations and environmental groups. The Ksi Lisims LNG project, intended to export Canadian gas to Asia, received a B.C. environmental assessment certificate on Monday from Environment Minister Tamara Davidson and Energy Minister Adrian Dix.

Federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin also announced her approval for the project to advance to the next stage of permits and authorizations. The facility is being developed in partnership with the Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG Limited Partnership, and Western LNG. However, documents indicate that the project will be constructed, owned, and operated by subsidiaries of Western LNG, which is based in Houston, Texas.

The facility is designed to process two billion cubic feet of natural gas per day for liquefaction, storage, and offloading to tankers. Western LNG aims to export 12 million tonnes of LNG annually, with operations expected to commence in late 2028 or 2029. This capacity is nearly equivalent to the 14 million tonnes planned for the first phase of the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, B.C.

The approval follows a review by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office, which stated that the project could create up to 450 construction jobs and 250 permanent positions, pending further permissions. The office consulted with ten First Nations, of which several did not provide consent. Consent was granted by the Gitga’at and Kitselas Nations, while the Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, and Kitsumkalum Nations denied consent. The Gitxalaa Nation did not respond regarding consent.

The Environmental Assessment Office noted that the ministers recognized that not all concerns from First Nations were resolved. However, they concluded that the conditions of the environmental assessment certificate would adequately address potential adverse effects on First Nations and their interests. A letter from the Haida Nation indicated their non-consent to the project and associated vessel traffic in their territorial waters, although they did not participate in the consultation process.

The project is subject to 23 legally enforceable conditions, including compliance with the province’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions policy, prioritization of regional and Indigenous hiring, and a health plan to mitigate the impact on local health services.

Environmental advocacy groups have expressed their opposition to the project. Thomas Green, a senior climate policy adviser with the David Suzuki Foundation, stated, "Approving another LNG project means more pollution, higher climate risks, and greater harm to our health."

The facility will consist of two floating LNG structures, with land-based operations on property owned by the Nisga’a Nation. The Environmental Assessment Office has urged federal ministers to address First Nations' concerns regarding marine shipping.