Court papers proof political pressure rushed pipeline approval: First Nation

An Alberta First Nation says court documents suggest political and industry pressure hustled approvals for an oilsands pipeline through regulators and reduced aboriginal consultation.

"Our concern is that this project was being pushed through too quickly and it would not meet the standards for consultation and review," said Eriel Deranger of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. "That's exactly what happened."

Officials with the Alberta Energy Regulator say repeated communications from political staff were attempts to understand a new approach to aboriginal consultation, not an attempt to hurry it along.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/court-papers-grand-rapids-pipeline-1.3783035