QuickQuotes: Reaction to the Pacific Link pipeline project

Indigenous communities along the proposed West Coast oil pipeline, now called the Pacific Link pipeline, were given only two months to consult on whether the pipeline should be designated a project of national interest. This timeline was extended from the initial one month after Indigenous leaders raised concerns about the short consultation period for the newly-named pipeline in Alberta.

The federal government has received criticism for not providing enough information to Indigenous groups, which has made it difficult for them to fully assess the project's impact on their rights and lands. Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that his major projects agenda will not interfere with Canada's obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

However, Indigenous leaders warn that the government risks violating their rights through the designation process. The pipeline has already received the first national interest designation under the Major Projects Office, which aims to streamline oversight and approvals. The government plans to complete consultations on the project, secure environmental safeguards, financing, and Indigenous partnerships, with construction set to begin in September 2027.

The Assembly of First Nations has identified several concerns with the pipeline's designation and believes the federal government is predetermining outcomes and approving projects without meaningful consultations. The UN declaration, which Canada has adopted, requires free, prior, and informed consent before decisions that could adversely affect Indigenous communities and their lands.