A group representing First Nations in British Columbia is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to stop efforts to advance a proposed West Coast pipeline.
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs says expanding oil production would worsen climate change and increase the risk of wildfires, floods and rising sea levels.
The group also says governments have not properly consulted First Nations about the project. It argues that consultation is not meaningful if key decisions have already been made about the pipeline’s route, partners and economic benefits.
Alberta’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations said the project could provide long-term benefits for Indigenous communities and that First Nations will continue to be consulted.
The proposed 1,250-kilometre pipeline would carry more than one million barrels of oil per day from Bruderheim, Alta., to a port near Delta, B.C., for export to international markets.
Ottawa recently took steps toward giving the project a national interest designation under the Building Canada Act. That could allow the government to speed up the approval process.
The pipeline is also tied to the Pathways carbon storage project, which aims to capture and store emissions from increased oil production. However, the Canadian Climate Institute has said the pipeline could create far more emissions than the carbon project would prevent.
The West Coast pipeline is one of several major projects the federal government is considering as part of efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy, energy security and infrastructure.
