A proposal by Premier Danielle Smith’s Alberta government to fund a potential bitumen pipeline to British Columbia’s North Coast is drawing strong opposition from several First Nations on the North Coast.
Smith announced on Oct. 1 that her government would commit $14 million in provincial funds to explore developing a pipeline route from Alberta to the B.C. coast. While no route has been finalized, Smith said the Port of Prince Rupert was her preferred destination.
For this project to work, the Alberta government will need the support of several First Nations groups in the area. Alberta has had conversations with both B.C. and Alberta First Nations, said Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations Rajan Sawhney.
“We’re engaging Indigenous communities in Alberta and B.C. from day one, starting at the very beginning of project design. We’ve learned from past mistakes, and we want B.C. First Nations to know that we’ve heard you loud and clear. We’re committed to getting this right.”
The Gitxaała Nation, whose territory includes areas near Prince Rupert, said it will oppose any pipeline crossing its lands or waters. said elected Chief Councillor of the Gitxaała Nation Linda Innes.
“No engagement or consultation can be meaningful without respecting Gitxaała’s rights
including our self-determination.” said elected Chief Councillor Linda Innes.
“The risk of a pipeline or tanker on our lands, waters, community, and way of life is too great, and that no amount of pressure from any government or private company can undermine Gitxaała’s duty to protect our territory for our future generations.”
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada has committed to implement, requires governments to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before approving projects affecting their lands and resources.
In addition to the Gitxaała’s opposition to the project, their partners in the Coastal First Nations–Great Bear Initiative (CFN) also expressed their opposition to the pipeline.
“Premier Smith’s continued talk of oil pipelines and tankers, and the risk of a catastrophic oil spill in B.C.’s coastal waters, is not nation-building,” said CFN president Marilyn Slett.
“In fact, it risks the goodwill and support of First Nations for more realistic and economically valuable nation-building projects in B.C. and beyond. We respectfully ask that Premier Smith remain in her own jurisdiction, the province of Alberta.”
The Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, whose territory lies north of Prince Rupert, said the proposal threatens the environment and contravenes Canada’s legal obligations to Indigenous peoples.
“We are deeply concerned that any potential oil pipeline or export project on the North Coast would implicate Canada’s international law obligations, including under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Garry Reece. “Given the real and serious threat posed by an oil spill, our Ayaawx (Tsimshian law) would prevent us from consenting to any north coast pipeline project.”
B.C. Premier David Eby dismissed Smith’s proposal, calling it “not a real project.” Eby’s concerns were echoed by B.C minister of environment and parks and MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii Tamara Davidson, who is of the Haida Nation.
“Premier Smith’s pipeline proposal is not a serious plan. It has no route, no proponent, and no funding.” said Davidson. “What it does have is risk- risk of a catastrophic oil spill, risk to our economy, and risk to our communities. British Columbia is ready to move forward with tens of billions of dollars in real, shovel-ready projects — projects with private proponents and broad support. These are the kinds of investments that build resilience, create opportunity, and reflect the values of the people who live here.
With significant opposition from B.C. First Nations and the provincial government, experts say Alberta’s pipeline idea faces major political and legal hurdles. Any such project would also require lifting the federal oil tanker ban on B.C.’s North Coast.
