By Bryan Eneas

Husky Energy stalling on repayments to James Smith Cree Nation: Chief

Dec 1, 2017 | 12:47 PM

Text messages to Husky Energy officials express Chief Wally Burns’ frustrations in dealing with the company over the last year. 

Recently, officials from Husky Energy were on the shores of the North Saskatchewan River conducting clean-up efforts following last year’s oil spill. During the Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Team’s work, members of the community used their knowledge of the river and its banks to allow Husky to safely conduct their work.

Burns said those workers from the Cree Nation have not been paid for their efforts. The band has considered moving money around from different programs to repay the members in question.

The chief didn’t mince words when he texted officials regarding late payments, 

“Your word is suspect and these ‘hurry up and wait I’ll get back to you next week’ is a bunch of crap,” Burns’ text read. “It makes all sense that Husky cannot be trusted.”

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Mel Duvall from Husky Energy said the company received an invoice from the Cree Nation for the recent clean-up and assessment work band members participated in. He said the invoice contained work which was not previously discussed or approved by the energy company and those items needed to be discussed with James Smith Chief and council before a payment is made.

“We are now waiting on James Smith to resubmit the invoice in accordance with the issues discussed and we will immediately pay it once received,” Duvall said through an email to paNOW.

Burns’ texts further stated he would like to see all piles of contaminated logs, rocks and soil removed from James Smith lands. A portion of the North Saskatchewan River runs through the James Smith Cree Nation territory.

Debris has washed up on the banks of the river since September of last year and a suspicious foam was found in August of both last year and this year.

The Cree Nation has been adament that they are not asking for a hand-out. Chief Burns has previously told paNOW the Cree Nation is simply asking for fair re-imbursement from Husky for any monies invested into clean-up efforts.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas