Alberta’s Cold Lake First Nations seek judicial review of Pacific Link pipeline designation

Cold Lake First Nations have initiated a judicial review of the Federal Court to contest Canada's decision to designate the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest. This announcement was made concurrently by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who stated that the pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia would undergo expedited reviews and consultations within a year, commencing construction in September the following year.

Chief Kelsey Jacko of Cold Lake First Nations revealed that his community was excluded from consultations despite being located in the oilsands region. The judicial review application posits that the designation contravenes Canadian law and conflicts with the Crown's honour. The statement claims that expanding oilsands production will significantly damage the CLFN members' ability to uphold their "Luechogh Tue Denesuline way of life" as outlined in Treaty No. 6.

Furthermore, it asserts that Canada has failed to consider or mitigate the substantial cumulative impacts of oilsands development on CLFN's treaty rights. Cold Lake First Nations seeks the court to nullify the national interest designation and to acknowledge Canada's duty to consult with the community regarding the pipeline. The Assembly of First Nations had previously expressed concerns over "numerous red flags" in the pipeline's national interest designation, indicating the federal government's apparent predetermination of outcomes and approval of projects prior to meaningful consultations.

Prime Minister Carney has assured that his major projects agenda will not compromise Canada's commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.