British Columbian First Nations are expressing their frustration one day after a push by the Alberta government to jumpstart a new bitumen pipeline to the coast. Premier Danielle Smith announced Wednesday the province will soon bring forward a project proposal, helped along by Alberta taxpayer money and support from three major Canadian energy companies. It’s expected to be filed next spring to the federal Major Projects Office. But First Nations’ leaders along potential routes say they’re already against any new crude pipeline to the B.C. northwestern coast. Grand Chief Stewart Phillips is the president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, an organization dedicated to the resolution of land claims. It currently represents 135 First Nations. “We have a long track record of defending the lands, the environment, the waters and the constitutional and inherent legal rights of First Nations people,” he told CTV News. “We are opposed to oil tankers coming down the coast. We were not consulted on this critical and dangerous toxic infrastructure proposal.” On Wednesday, Smith acknowledged that laws — like the tanker ban — would have to be repealed or have a carve-out created for the project to go forward. But she’s insistent that a new pipeline would unlock Canada’s “economic potential” with Indigenous partners. Many coastal chiefs don’t see it that way. “This isn’t economically responsible,” Gitxaala Elected Chief Councillor Linda Innes said. “I work collaboratively with our Hereditary Chiefs, who are the titleholder. And our mandate is that there will be no crude oil pipeline within our territory.” “Crude oil is a nonstarter.” Gitxaala area stretches to Prince Rupert, which was floated as one potential pipeline destination Wednesday. Nothing has been finalized. Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations Rajan Sawhney claimed she had spoken with Indigenous leaders in B.C. and Alberta earlier in the week. She told reporters that “there was more support” than she had anticipated. Innes had been contacted, though told CTV News she hasn’t yet returned the call. She instead expressed frustration at the fact contact was made “just two days before their big announcement.” Phillips isn’t impressed, either. “The so-called consultation declaration on the part of Premier Smith is bogus, and our groups are already beginning to mobilize for the battle coming forward,” he said. “My message to (Smith) is go home. Stay home and forget about it. It’s not going to happen.” - With files from The Canadian Press
