The first of two planned community hearings to take place in Terrace on the Enbridge Northern Gateway project got underway to a full house at the sportsplex this afternoon.
About 250 people packed into the banquet hall at the sportplex, with more listening from the hallway outside the room.
Vice-chair of the National Energy Board and member of the Joint Review Panel Sheila Leggett introduced herself and the two other members of the panel, energy lawyer Kenneth Bateman and geologist Hans Matthews.
We are here to listen to you, she said.
First to address the panel was chief councillor Don Roberts from the Kitsumkalum First Nation. Roberts presented a slide show of information to the panel – primarily about the band's environmental concern such as the safety of the area's eulachon and salmon.
The community hearing will continue on throughout the afternoon.
The second community hearing will take place sometime this spring.