This was also the second time Indigenous groups had gone to court to argue that the federal government had failed to properly consult them on the pipeline. In 2018, the Federal Court of Appeal agreed that the government had not fulfilled its duty. This time, however, the court decided that the latest round of consultations met its test. The appeal court, following previous decisions, was clear about one thing, however. The government is not obliged to follow what Indigenous groups request — or even, ultimately, to get their consent.

Source: New York Times February 07, 2020 19:41 UTC