BC First Nations Chiefs Demand Pipeline Halt Amid Climate Change Concerns

First Nations chiefs in British Columbia are urging Ottawa and Alberta to halt the advancement of the West Coast pipeline, citing concerns that expanding the oil industry will accelerate climate change and disasters.

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith on Sunday, reiterating its opposition to the pipeline. The group claims that government has not consulted in good faith with First Nations communities, and that consultation cannot be meaningful if projects are predetermined.

The West Coast pipeline would carry up to one-million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta to a port near Delta, B.C., for shipment to international markets. Ottawa took a step last week toward giving the proposed project a national interest designation under the Building Canada Act, which would allow government to fast-track the pipeline and skirt some environmental laws.