'Not an option': B.C. premier rejects calls to halt or cancel Coastal GasLink pipeline

B.C.'s premierhas categorically put to rest any notionofpulling provincial support for the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

"That's not an option, no," John Horgan answered when asked point-blank aboutcalls to halt or cancel the natural gas projectaltogether.

It was hisshortest responseduring Thursday's press conference at the B.C. Legislature as hetook question after question about the ongoing tensions in northwesternB.C. surrounding hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'enFirst Nation whooppose construction of a natural gaspipeline to feed a liquefied natural gas plant on the coast.

He was also asked whether he would change his mind and meetin-person meeting with hereditary chiefs.

"If there was a prospect of a positive outcome, of course," Horgan said. "But the notion that it would just somehow be, 'You have to come and talk to me' without any understanding of what the [end goal]of that discussion would be, I'm not prepared to do that."

He's referring to a political turning point last month. While touring northern B.C., he declined a face-to-face meeting withthe hereditary chiefs who oppose the pipeline that'sslated to run through traditional Wet'suwet'enterritory.

"It really bothered me that he was not that far away and yetsomehow could not take the time to come and speak with us," saidChief Na'moks at the time.

"We want to show the respect back, too," Na'moks said. "If you'regoing to have decent communication with anybody, it's best to belooking eye to eye."

Horgan's office cited other commitmentsandinstead proposeda phone call that would focus on 'de-escalation and on safety for all.'

But that never happened, and Horgan is once again doubling-down onhis reasons for not going in-person.

"When Na'Moks demanded that I present myself, I said I'dbe happy to talk to you on the phone to find out when we can meet he refused to take the phone call."

I stand ready to work with the hereditary leadership to find a peaceful resolution to this issue.- B.C. Premier John Horgan

Horgan doesn't believe his decisionnot to meetthem first-hand further escalated tensions. He said he's not going to accept responsibilityfor the decisions the hereditary leaders are making or the positions they're taking.

"I do accept responsibility, as head of the government of B.C., that I stand ready to work with the hereditary leadership to find a peaceful resolution to this issue."

Horgansaidhe'll continue to focus on what he says is the overwhelming majority of First Nations who do support the pipeline and the economic prosperity that comes with it.

Coastal GasLinkhas signed agreementswith 20 First Nationsalong the routeof thepipeline includingelectedbandcouncilsof theWet'suwet'en Nation.

In the meantime, he again suggested communications are best done through the Indigenous Relations Ministry.

"I don't have any more magic in my pocket than [Minister] Scott Fraser does," Horgan said, who added theissue is best discussed at the ministerial level where there are experts who have been working on these issues for decades.