A group that represents numerous First Nations across British Columbia is calling on Ottawa and Alberta’s government to halt efforts to advance the West Coast pipeline, saying expanding the oil industry will accelerate climate change and disasters.
“The destructive and disastrous consequences of expanding fossil fuel production extend far beyond any single territory,” the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith.
“From catastrophic wildfires to destructive floods and rising seas, the impacts of climate change are already being felt across this country. Every new fossil fuel project deepens that crisis.”
The letter is signed by the group’s heads, including Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, and it said B.C. Premier David Eby also has a copy of it.
The letter came Sunday, a day after the B.C. government issued a state of emergency as more than 100 wildfires burned across the province, with one forcing nearly 25,000 people across two communities east of Vancouver to flee. Nearly half of the wildfires were burning out of control.
The Indigenous group said it was also publishing the letter on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Sunday.
The group said it wanted to reaffirm that it’s against the pipeline because government has not consulted and co-operated in good faith with the First Nations, noting government has already developed the project’s corridor, named prospective development partners and is publicly promoting its economic case.
“Consultation cannot be meaningful if First Nations are invited only to discuss how a predetermined project will proceed,” it said.
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“Nor can equity ownership, loan guarantees, revenue-sharing, employment, or other proposed benefits be treated as substitutes for consent.”
Carney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.
Alberta’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations said in an email Sunday that the pipeline will provide long-term benefits for Indigenous communities, and create jobs and energy security.
“The West Coast oil pipeline submission is currently under review by the Major Projects Office, which will consult with Indigenous communities as part of determining whether the project is in the national interest,” said press secretary Karah Folk.
“Our government remains committed to ongoing dialogue with First Nations and all partners as this work continues.”
The roughly 1,250-kilometre West Coast pipeline would carry upwards of one-million barrels of crude oil per day from Bruderheim, Alta., to a port near Delta, B.C., for shipment to international markets.
The Alberta government is listed as the pipeline project’s proponent. The pipeline would be owned by Trans Mountain, the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission and Pembina Pipeline Corporation.
Ottawa took a step last week toward giving the proposed project a national interest designation under the Building Canada Act, which would allow government to fast-track the pipeline and skirt some environmental laws.
The government said it is accepting public feedback until mid-September on the designation.
An Alberta government website said it’s expecting to receive the designation on October 1.
“Following Indigenous consultation and once all approvals and permits are in place, construction could start as early as September 1, 2027,” it said.
Ottawa and Alberta have agreed the pipeline would be conditional on a carbon storage project called Pathways, and vice versa. Pathways, which is owned by various companies, would prevent emissions from increased oil production from entering the atmosphere. It involves a pipeline network that would carry carbon emissions from several sites in northern Alberta to an underground storage hub near Cold Lake, Alta.
A think tank called the Canadian Climate Institute said in July, however, that emissions from the increased production that a new West Coast pipeline would enable far eclipse what Pathways would prevent from entering the atmosphere.
The West Coast pipeline is among several projects that have been approved or proposed under Carney’s Major Projects Office, which is headquartered in Calgary.
Ottawa has said the projects are meant to be of national interest and strengthen Canada’s autonomy, provide economic benefits, advance Indigenous interests and meet Canada’s climate change goals in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
The Building Canada Act outlines the projects’ regulatory pathway.
The Conservatives helped the government pass the Building Canada Act more than a year ago and the government has so far moved three projects toward the national interest designation under the act.
Those projects are the Grays Bay road and port project in Nunavut, the Mackenzie Valley Highway in the Northwest Territories and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s deep geological repository in northern Ontario.
— With files from Lauren Krugel and David Baxter
Why is it every time natives have problems with government, white racist pigs send nasty comments. Why don’t you racist white f pig
Meant to say go back to your mother country you racist f pigs
The BC NDP government recently disclosed public accounts detailing commitments to transfer more than 334,600 acres (135,425 hectares) of provincial Crown land to First Nations through modern treaties and incremental agreements. Payback’s a bltch ain’t it 😊
Go back to TURD ISLAND! My ancestors were discovering science, electricity and physics why you were fcking carving totem poles
OD on crack!
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) represents about 52% of BC Indian Bands. Roughly half. Calling it “Numerous” is a bit generous. Its also the same as all the other national news outlets.
““Nor can equity ownership, loan guarantees, revenue-sharing, employment, or other proposed benefits ”
Why is it that those who contribute the least demand the most?
F U CK ALL INDIANS!
Become part of Canada’s confederation or piss right the hell off.
Talk about pouring fuel on the fire…….what are these fossil fuel promoters doing?……..more pipelines equal more fossil fuel use!…….can’t they see or accept the scientifically established connection between what are now global wildfires and planet heating in general…….how much more can we the world’s people take before fossil fuel use is stopped….duh!
To solve this ‘degens problem there’s only one real solution – call a nation-wide vote on Yay or Nay on the “projects of national importance”. These crazy consultations must stop because it’s not about climate, it’s all about money. OUR money being funnelled to chiefs who couldn’t give a flying f about their own people.
Sick and tired of this minority of freeloaders calling the shots for the whole country, and no, they were not here first, they’ve immigrated like everyone else. They can’t call dibs on everything.
BC is already ruled by degens and socialists.
J W – “We beed proper forest practise and money spent on it instead of giving money to certain groups”
Another MAGA Conservative idiot that can’t put a proper sentence together 🤣🤣
If you’re white then you’re also an immigrant to Canada
Eata cowpattie – And here you are spreading disinformation and hate towards Canada, immigrants, and FN people. Who’s the real traitor here? Go take a look in the f**king mirror and you’ll find out real quick
We are fighting multiple wars in and outside of Canada, were blowing up refineries in Russia, an economic war with the orange blob and an invasion by certain ethnicities that are looting Canada, not being a part of it. Floorcrappers. Our f.n. are full of hate for the white man. Not our fellow Canadians. War. Who defends us? Nobody. That’s the real hate crime. Treason.
Stewart and other mouths cannot stop our Country and Province from controlling our economy and what we do. They are not elected and they should not be adverised on Global or any orher News media.
Fires have not been fought before they start. We beed proper forest practise and money spent on it instead of giving money to certain groups.
Ok, let’s halt the project. Until such time as the nates agree, no more treaty cheques, no more benefits, no more money. That money that pays the nates comes from resource revenues. Talk about hypocrisy.
I’m sorry but the more we as a country give the indigenous folks the more they want. Get over your wounds like the rest of us have … quit messing up the country with your whining and bitching about your life. Join us or shut up !!!
Then stop all federal cash from going to them. Where do they think the money comes from?
The greatest enemy of Canada is not the U.S.
It’s the so-called “nations” inside Canada.
To solve this ‘degens problem there’s only one real solution – call a nation-wide vote on Yay or Nay on the “projects of national importance”. These crazy consultations must stop because it’s not about climate, it’s all about money. OUR money being funnelled to chiefs who couldn’t give a flying f about their own people.
Sick and tired of this minority of freeloaders calling the shots for the whole country, and no, they were not here first, they’ve immigrated like everyone else. They can’t call dibs on everything.
BC is already ruled by degens and socialists.
playing the same card is getting old and bothersome
When Alberta gains independence, Alberta will shut down petroleum shipments to BC for 3 months. Then everyone in BC will be begging for Alberta petroleum.
then where is the money going to come from to pay for all the hospitals roads ferries senior care etc etc etc no fishing logging mines farming etc etc etc .
Time to remove this 2 teir garbage already.
thank your liberal government , give an inch take a mile
Keep it up Indians, people are really starting to get sick of you beating your drums, like your people are important or have any relevance to Canada , your all professional Beggers and winners!?
Drain on canadian economy
Enough of this incessant FN whining.
Put Canada’s interests first for a change.
Is that why they are setting fires, protesting, making threats, acting all superior and draining Canada’s coffers?? Where do they think their “funding” is going to come from if ptojects & employment don’t go ahead?? Do featherheads see the big picture here or???
just ask for more money chief
Global fossil fuel consumption won’t be affected by whether it is Canadian fossil fuel or not. Do these people think other countries will increase their use because it came from Canada? No, they will get it somewhere else. Getting someone to buy their supplies somewhere else is not a good climate strategy. What if we halted wheat exports? Would that save us? All that fuel used for farming, let’s just stop selling grain. Oh wait, they would just buy it somewhere else.
Mark “Caveman”Carney knew the FN would be opposed right from the start.Its all Liberal B.S. Showboating and the Elbozos lap it up.
How about “Fa Cough FN” instead ?
How about that, you all just Fa Cough .
If FN and enviro-nuts keep starting first s, maybe people will pay attention to their cause.
As it is, Canada’s ghg emissions are insignificant on a global scale, and another pipeline won’t change things very much.
It is just too bad that a small fringe group thinks they are entitled enough to stop what Canadians want.
The Liberals need to stop bribing them with Equity payments, job padding, revenue gifts.
All the treaties have a clause that the natives are not to hinder economic development of Canadian lands. – Time for them to start living up to the treaty agreements.
Victimhood, Inc (TM). Waiting for a payout, or are you already contracted by US interests as has been well documented before? (tides foundation, etc.). Any of these Chiefs living mostly out of Vegas? Canada’s economy needs you to stop this.
I see another shake down from BC Chiefs, under the pretense of saving the planet from “Climate Change”. Once they stop driving their gas-guzzling trucks and downsize into a teepee, I’ll start to take them seriously.
So glad we have the First Nations with some sense and that will help save us from the backwards Neanderthals in Alberta and this comment section. Hands of BCs nature! Alberta can destroy its own backyard and leave us out of it. Let them burn.
2 WORDS FOR CHIEFS and the SELF CHOSEN WORLD OWNERS !!! ONE WORD STARTS WITH “F” and the NEXT , STARTS WITH “O”
No bones about it, I like the 20 dollar cartons of cigarettes, and all the mushrooms and marijuana you sell us, but your all government agents . Drug dealers have no credibility or a say in the future of a society they aren’t a part of.
Stop making one group more equal . It was a war called cowboys and Indians. The cowboys won. Justin can’t change that by buying your vote with a handful of shiny coins.
Our dear indigenous cousin’s, are so use to receiving their cheques in the mail , they think they own Canada , they forget the money they received is from the oil patch, a feather in their hair , still only entitles them to one vote , sad but true
All the indians want is millions of dollars and it comes with consent. Save the money. Consent not needed. Just build it
Come on over to BC and look at the big shiny trucks in most driveways on the reserves- huge gas burners…makes you wonder why the stewards of the land can’t feed the garbage eating pack of dogs…
Fakiha Baig. Isn’t the whole bloody world east of Vancouver?
Pure unadulterated gaslighting with a good measure of horse 💩
Thsse idiots(chiefs) always try to stop the pipelines, yet they take money from the government and big companies without a second thought. This pipeline is shat this country needs to progress. I bet everyone of them drive big SUVs or luxury vehicles.
Spot on Cory.
Canada owes First Nations nothing
I’m not for or against the pipeline; I could care less. But I’m getting really annoyed about having to “consult” First Nations about everything; name one country where the general population still lives hunter/gatherer lifestyles. In the end, colonialism comes for us all. I’m not for colonialism, in fact I hate having to get up and go to work every d@mn day. But you shouldn’t get to wipe your hands free of your obligations to capitalism just because you were here “first.” Just my 2 cents.
Stop whining! You will get big fat paycheques from this pipeline!
Do people actually believe that Canada has any impact on global emissions? If we don’t increase our GDP we Will become a 3rd world country , how about our government stop giving out money and see what happens.
no thanks, sick and tired of the endless complaining, piss off
The FN can go to —‘ Haven’t they held the country back long enough while they reap the benefits and bite our hands??
How does Alberta get to decide and spear head this through BC. It’s a joke. BC doesn’t want it. We’re on fire and can’t handle anymore. You want a pipeline, run it through your province and take it out else where. The West Coast isn’t yours, you shouldn’t be allowed to ruin it.
We all need to read Peter Best’s book
There is no Difference.
Cut off the billions of dollars of indian support, the only ones getting the benefit are the chiefs, winter in florida etc, drive cadillacs etc, maybe they will loosen up on the pipelines.
Keep sniffing glue, all your good for
Why is it that this entitled group would get preferential treatment over the good people of Canada? Imagine if we all participated equally not just one culture, Canadians need to vote to stop this.