History of Economic Development

Kitimat LNG — a long time coming

For decades, economic development passed by the Haisla. Large-scale industrial operations were built and flourished in our territory, yet few benefits flowed to our people. All that is now changing.

The strategic location of the Douglas Channel and its deep, protected waters have attracted industry for many years, from the Rio Tinto Alcan smelter that began operations in 1952 to pulp mills.

Rio Tinto Alcan is modernizing and expanding its plant to a cost of about $3 billion but the pulp mill has closed, as has the former Methanex plant.

The turnaround in economic opportunity for the Haisla is being led by the Kitimat LNG (KMLNG) project and associated Pacific Trails Pipeline, estimated to be a $5 -7 billion project.

The plant is being built on Haisla land, and the lease for the use of the site by KM LNG was approved by 93% of band members in a referendum late in 2010.