Alberta seeks First Nations’ collaboration on pipeline amid separation feud

Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi speaks as First Nations chiefs, band councillors and elders gather to call on Premier Danielle Smith's government to stomp out the push for the province to leave Canada, at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Monday, March 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

EDMONTON — EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is promising to work with Indigenous groups on a new pipeline to the B.C. coast, but it comes at a time of tense relations.

Her government and First Nations chiefs have been in a war of words for more than a year over a referendum on Alberta leaving Confederation.

The disagreement stems from the duty to consult over Alberta’s separation from Canada.

Alberta’s government is fighting in court over the issue, with First Nations saying Smith’s government has not properly consulted them.

First Nations leaders have said Smith’s behaviour amounts to treason, while one of Smith’s senior advisers has publicly said the chiefs should be more focused on poverty in their communities.

Smith and Mark Carney announced a formal plan on Thursday to run a new pipeline along an existing one to the B.C. coast to get more oil to Asia.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2026.