Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Sep 23/05) - With the Mackenzie Valley pipeline already a year behind schedule, one Dehcho leader was frustrated with the recent postponement of public hearings into $7 billion project.

They delay will not change the bargaining stance of the Dehcho First Nations however, said Liidlii Kue Chief Keyna Norwegian, who insisted last week on yearly lease-type payment for access to aboriginal lands.

"A one-time, up front payment is not acceptable," Norwegian said following an annual fall leadership conference in Fort Providence.

"With or without the pipeline our lives will go on."

The annual payments are a sticking point between First Nations and the companies behind the pipeline, headed by Imperial Oil.

The company announced last week it was not prepared to move forward with regulatory hearings into the pipeline, which would carry natural gas from the Beaufort Delta to Northern Alberta.

Sandy Martin, manager of regulatory affairs for Imperial, said the main stumbling block was the negotiations with First Nations.

"Additional time is warranted to determine if these outstanding matters can be resolved," Martin wrote.

"The proponents will advise the (National Energy Board) and joint review panel in November of our willingness to proceed with a public hearing."

Premier Joe Handley met with Imperial president Tim Hearn recently and said the company was hopeful a deal could be reached.

"There is pressure on everyone," Handley said. "A lot of people in the Territories have invested heavily in anticipation of the pipeline. That's all at risk. For us as a government, it's a pretty dismal future without the revenues and programs we need for our people right now."

Despite the delays, Martin acknowledged that "progress has been made in all key areas" since the federal government announced $500 million in social spending for communities along the pipeline route.

First Nations are expected to make a counter-offer to Imperial by the end of October, Handley said.

With an agreement in place, the public hearings could begin in January. They are expected to last more than a year.

- With files from Jack Danylchuk