The president of B.C.'s Coastal First Nations alliance was unequivocal when asked if there is any possibility the group would consent to the federal government lifting the oil tanker ban in the area to allow a pipeline to be built from Alberta.
"No," Heiltsuk Nation Chief Marilyn Slett answered.
Slett added that no one from the Alberta or federal government has asked local First Nations about their stance. Nevertheless, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has continually pushed the idea.
Slett has let B.C. know where the group stands, and said she was "encouraged" to hear Premier David Eby point this out to reporters in Ottawa on Thursday (Sept. 18).
"There's no support from First Nations along the coast," Eby said in Ottawa. "In fact, nobody's talked to them, and this project is non-existent."
Eby also took a shot at Smith, who formerly worked on behalf of oil and gas interests as a registered lobbyist.
"Premier Smith from Alberta, she's an incredible advocate, because you would never guess that there is no private proponent, there is no money, there's no project," Eby said.
In 2019, the federal government imposed a ban on heavy oil tankers in the waters off B.C.'s north coast. But as conversations about trade diversification evolved since U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening Canada with tariffs, the idea of a new pipeline to the coast was resurrected, with Smith as the most vocal and high-profile proponent.
There is already a pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast via the Lower Mainland — the newly built Trans Mountain — but the amount of oil pumped through it is limited by how much can be loaded onto ships that must then pass through the Burrard Inlet. Preliminary plans are in the works to dredge the inlet so fully-loaded tankers can make the passage.
Simultaneous to the conversation about a new pipeline, Eby's government has pushed forward with approvals of multiple liquefied natural gas projects. Some of these are First Nation partnerships, but they are also divisive.
He pointed to the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas terminal proposed to be built on Nisga'a Nation territory north of Prince Rupert as an example of the type of project that relies on the support of other First Nations along the coast.
Eby said he wants to focus on these projects that are approved to go ahead, rather than on a pipeline without an actual proponent or proposal.
"Those projects can be put in jeopardy by that push," he said.
Slett made the point that the Coastal First Nations, an alliance of the Gitga’at, Gitxaała, Haida, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’Xais, Metlakatla, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv First Nations, is not anti-development, but seeks to promote the sustainable, long-term health of industry, food sources, culture and people.
Crude oil transport is not on that list of priorities.
"There are many reasons why we don't support this project," Slett said. "It's too much of a risk for our communities to bear."
Speaking just for the Heiltsuk, Slett said her people do not separate water and land when thinking about their territory.
"For us, land and sea are very much the same," she said. "It can't be distinguished. It's not something that we separate as people."
If things change and a viable proponent emerges to build a pipeline from Alberta, Slett said the Coastal First Nations would use "every tool in the toolbox" in opposition.
"Any potential proponent should be put on notice that we're not prepared to accept oil through our waters," Slett said. "It's a non-starter for us."
