A coalition representing numerous First Nations in British Columbia has urged both Ottawa and the Alberta government to stop advancing the West Coast pipeline, citing concerns 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 the wide-reaching negative impacts of expanding fossil fuel production, including catastrophic wildfires, destructive floods, and rising sea levels. The group highlighted that every new fossil fuel project exacerbates the existing climate crisis.
The letter was issued following the declaration of a state of emergency by the B.C. government due to over 100 wildfires raging in the province, prompting the evacuation of nearly 25,000 individuals from two communities east of Vancouver. The Indigenous group chose to release the letter on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to reaffirm its opposition to the pipeline, citing lack of meaningful consultation with First Nations.
According to the group, the government has already advanced the project’s corridor, identified potential development partners, and is actively promoting its economic viability. They argued that consultation cannot be considered genuine if First Nations are only invited to discuss the implementation of a pre-determined project.
In response, Karah Folk, spokesperson for Alberta’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations, stated that the pipeline project offers long-term benefits for Indigenous communities and assured ongoing consultation as the project moves forward. However, both Carney and Smith’s offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The proposed 1,250-kilometre West Coast pipeline aims to transport over one million barrels of crude oil daily from Bruderheim, Alta., to a port near Delta, B.C., for international export. The Alberta government is listed as the proponent of the pipeline project, which would be operated by Trans Mountain, the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, and Pembina Pipeline Corp.
Last week, Ottawa took a step towards designating the project as being of national interest under the Building Canada Act, allowing for expedited approval processes. The government is currently seeking public input on the designation until mid-September.
Furthermore, Ottawa and Alberta have linked the pipeline’s approval to a carbon storage initiative known as Pathways, which aims to offset emissions resulting from increased oil production. However, a think-tank raised concerns that the pipeline’s emissions would surpass the reduction achieved by Pathways.
The West Coast pipeline is one of several projects under Carney’s Major Projects Office, which Ottawa views as crucial for national interests, economic growth, Indigenous advancement, and environmental objectives. The Building Canada Act provides the regulatory framework for these projects, with a focus on strengthening Canada’s autonomy and meeting climate goals.
Notably, the Act was passed with support from the Conservatives over a year ago, with three projects already moving towards national interest designation, including infrastructure developments in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and northern Ontario.