A coalition representing multiple First Nations in British Columbia is urging Ottawa and the Alberta government to stop advancing the West Coast pipeline project. They argue that expanding the oil industry will hasten climate change and environmental disasters.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs emphasized that the negative impacts of expanding fossil fuel production go beyond individual territories. They highlighted that the effects of climate change, such as wildfires, floods, and rising sea levels, are already being experienced nationwide and that every new fossil fuel endeavor exacerbates the crisis.
The letter coincided with a state of emergency declared by the B.C. government following over 100 wildfires raging across the province, leading to the evacuation of nearly 25,000 people from two communities east of Vancouver. The Indigenous group released the letter on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to reiterate their opposition to the pipeline due to insufficient consultation and cooperation with First Nations.
The coalition criticized the lack of meaningful consultation, pointing out that discussions with First Nations should not solely focus on the predetermined progression of the project. Alberta’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations spokesperson, Karah Folk, defended the project, stating that it offers long-term benefits to Indigenous communities and that consultations will continue as the project moves forward.
The proposed 1,250-kilometre West Coast pipeline aims to transport over one million barrels of crude oil daily from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a port near Delta, British Columbia, for export to global markets. The Alberta government is spearheading the project, with ownership shared between Trans Mountain, the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, and Pembina Pipeline Corp.
The federal government recently took steps to designate the project as being of national interest under the Building Canada Act, which would expedite the approval process. Public feedback on this designation is being accepted until mid-September. Additionally, Ottawa and Alberta have linked the pipeline’s approval to a carbon storage initiative called Pathways, which aims to offset emissions resulting from increased oil production.
Despite these efforts, concerns have been raised by the Canadian Climate Institute regarding the potential emissions impact of the pipeline project. The West Coast pipeline is one of several projects under Carney’s Major Projects Office, aimed at bolstering national interests, promoting economic growth, advancing Indigenous concerns, and aligning with Canada’s climate objectives.
The Building Canada Act guides the regulatory framework for these projects, with the government having already moved three other initiatives towards national interest designation. These include the Grays Bay road and port project in Nunavut, the Mackenzie Valley Highway in the Northwest Territories, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s geological repository in northern Ontario.