The NDP’s House leader claims the government is trying to shut him up when it comes to questioning federal bureaucrats at the joint review panel looking into Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline proposal.

Nathan Cullen’s request to cross-examine officials from the departments of the environment, natural resources, transport and fisheries and oceans was met by a letter from the Department of Justice asking the panel to deny his appeal.

“It’s a bit of an intimidation tactic,” says Cullen. “All along, if you’ve been opposed or raised concerns about this pipeline, Mr. Harper’s government has called you a radical or an enemy of the state. These are all tactics to say ‘you’re just going to have to accept what we tell you to accept.’”

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, in an email to CBC News on Wednesday afternoon said, “Cullen is seeking to politicize the work of the panel instead of waiting to hear the independent experts report.”

Cullen is an intervener at the review. As such, he is allowed to question government and Enbridge witnesses at the hearings. Read more…