Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Gitga’at, Gitxaała and other Coastal First Nations (CFN) leaders in Prince Rupert on Jan. 13, following backlash to a proposed Alberta pipeline and the lifting of the oil tanker ban on B.C.’s North Coast.
The meeting came after Carney signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in relation to Alberta building a bitumen pipeline to the North Coast of B.C. and lifting the oil tanker ban on B.C.’s North Coast Nov. 27, 2025.
Several B.C. First Nations voiced opposition to the proposal at the time, expressing concern that they had not been consulted.
In response, Coastal First Nations invited Carney to Prince Rupert to discuss major project proposals, Indigenous rights, economic development and conservation.
Working with First Nations will help build a stronger Canada, said Carney.
“As we build major projects across Canada, we must do so sustainably, with respect to surrounding land and waters. By working in true partnership with Indigenous Peoples, we can protect what matters, create lasting opportunities, and build a stronger, more resilient Canada – for today and for future generations.”
In the meeting Gitxaała leaders made it clear to the Prime Minister why they don’t support lifting the tanker ban or Alberta’s pipeline proposal, said the Gitxaała Nation.
“During this important meeting, we reaffirmed our commitment to protecting Gitxaała lands, waters and rights. Our leadership clearly communicated that the transportation of crude oil and persistent oil poses unacceptable risks to our environment, culture and future generations. This engagement reflects our ongoing efforts to uphold Gitxaała lands and ensure that decisions impacting our territory respect our laws and values.”
The Gitga’at Nation also shared similar words with Carney.
“We emphasize that bitumen transport poses unacceptable and lasting risks to our territory and way of life grounded in our laws, our Adaawx (history) and our lived experience with marine spills that remain unresolved today,” said the Gitga’at Nation.
A protest formed outside the meeting with Carney and the CFN showcasing opposition to the pipeline proposal and lifting the tanker ban.
First Nations have stopped pipelines to the North Coast in the past such as the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines and will not stop now, said protester and Gitga’at member Art Sterritt.
“We’re not going to allow a pipeline project to happen here. We have an ecosystem that’s intact on the North Coast and we’re going to keep it that way. If a pipeline project does go through we’ll do everything that’s required to stop it. the last time Enbridge proposed that they would come into our territory, we took them to court and we took the B.C. government to court, and we won and all those court cases. And that’s why the Enbridge proposal went away,” said Sterritt
“The Prime Minister’s going to find out that he should have come and talked to us before he made a deal with Alberta. You don’t make a deal with Alberta to put a pipeline into our territory and then come and talk to us after that. So I’m hoping that he gets a little bit of an education.”
Following the meeting, Carney stated that any project through First Nations territory will require the nations free, prior and informed consent before a project can begin.
