Six Nations asking Enbridge for lower gas prices

Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council has agreed to enter talks with Enbridge over its line 10 expansions and as part of those talks, wants to negotiate lower gas prices for Six Nations households.

“They’re so astronomical,” said Coun. Audrey Powless-Bomberry, saying seniors and those on fixed incomes especially deserve a break on their gas bills.

Six Nations Lands and Resources Director Lonny Bomberry sought permission from elected council to enter into talks with Enbridge over its Line 10 replacement project.

The pipeline crosses traditional Six Nations territory and is known as the Westover segment in southern Ontario.

Enbridge has had a shaky history with First Nations in southern Ontario, having faced numerous protests regarding its controversial Line 9B expansion project.

The Chippewas of the Thames had taken Enbridge to court over that project, saying they weren’t consulted or accommodated, but they lost in a supreme court decision in 2017, said Bomberry.

“This council back in the day was in support of that (court case against Enbridge) and didn’t want to talk to Enbridge until that court case was resolved. It worked its way all through to the Supreme Court and it’s fair to say that Chippewas of the Thames lost. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t a duty to consult and accommodate. They did enter into a benefit agreement with Enbridge and Enbridge still wants to come to some arrangements with Six Nations because their lines – line 9, 10 and 11 – are going through Six Nations territory. They want to do this by entering into a memorandum of understanding to enter into those discussions.”

Elected Council agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with Enbridge at last week’s political liaison meeting.

Councillors told Bomberry Six Nations should talk about getting fuel delivery charges removed as part of the discussions with Enbridge.

“Enbridge says they’re willing to talk about that if this MOU is signed with council,” said Bomberry.

Coun. Helen Miller said she was concerned because Enbridge applied to the Ontario Energy Board to raise its rates.

“We can’t afford to raise our rates,” said Miller.

Chief Mark Hill encouraged a push for reduced gas bill rates.

“We want all of our members to have decreased rates and no delivery charges.”

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