Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about the blockades that have done so much damage to our economy, but there is one thing that seems to be consistently overlooked.
We have not heard the Prime Minister acknowledge, even once, that this project has support from the Wet'suwet'en elected council, the majority of their hereditary chiefs and that there are 20 signed benefits agreements with nations along the route. Many of them are already working on the pipeline and these blockades are affecting their local, as well as the national, economy.
For years we have all listened to first nations leaders talking about the chronically high unemployment rates, addictions and suicides. Now these northern nations have taken control of their own destiny, but the project is still stalled.
The Liberals should consider supporting their efforts to change that and support the national economy.