BC Chiefs Call for Pipeline Halt Over Climate Concerns

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is calling for Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to halt efforts to advance the West Coast pipeline. The group claims that expanding the oil industry will accelerate climate change and disasters.

The chiefs argue that government has not consulted in good faith with First Nations, saying consultation is not meaningful when they are only invited to discuss how a predetermined project will proceed.

Ottawa recently took a step toward giving the proposed pipeline a national interest designation under the Building Canada Act, which would allow the government to fast-track the pipeline and skirt some environmental laws. Public feedback on this designation will be accepted until mid-September.