First Nations chiefs in B.C. urge feds, Alberta to halt pipeline advancement
The group said it wanted to reaffirm that it's against the pipeline because government has not consulted and co-operated in good faith with the First Nations.
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has written to Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith, urging them to halt the advancement of the West Coast pipeline. The chiefs argue that expanding the oil industry will exacerbate climate change and its disastrous consequences. The letter emphasizes that wildfires, floods, and rising sea levels are already being felt across the country.
The B.C. government had recently declared a state of emergency as over 100 wildfires burned through the province, forcing thousands to evacuate. The chiefs also highlighted that the government has already established the project's route, identified prospective development partners, and publicly promoted its economic benefits. They argue that meaningful consultation cannot occur if First Nations are only invited to discuss the predetermined project.
The pipeline, if completed, would transport up to one million barrels of crude oil daily from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a port near Delta, British Columbia. Ottawa has taken a step toward granting the project a national interest designation, which would allow the federal government to expedite the pipeline while bypassing certain environmental regulations.
However, environmentalists warn that emissions from increased oil production would far outweigh any emissions prevented by a carbon storage project called Pathways.
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