The Vancouver Sun reports in its Saturday edition that in their elation over a Federal Court of Appeal ruling which overturned the federal government's approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline, critics of the project seem to have overlooked the fact that it was a split decision. A Sun editorial says that in his dissenting opinion, Judge C. Michael Ryer disagreed with his two colleagues on the Appeals Court panel, Eleanor Dawson and David Stratas, who wrote a scathing attack on the previous Conservative government for failing to adequately consult with first nations. Judge Ryer came to the opposite conclusion -- that the government had met its obligation to consult with first nations. He noted, too, that 26 first nations affected by the $8-billion project had accepted Enbridge's offer to acquire an equity interest in it. Judge Ryer concedes the process was not perfect, but argues that the standard to be met is adequacy, not perfection. Moreover, he noted that many first nations concerns were addressed through the Joint Review Panel and in the 209 recommendations brought forward by the National Energy Board. The ruling sends a chilling message about big projects in Canada, particularly in British Columbia.