First Nation opposes major projects ahead of prime minister's visit to Prince Rupert

Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert to discuss major projects; several First Nations have expressed opposition to a proposed oil pipeline and LNG projects and called for the North Coast tanker ban to be respected.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Prince Rupert to meet with leadership of Coastal First Nations about major projects in northern British Columbia. An unnamed government official told CBC News the meeting is intended to address projects underway and possible partnerships between the federal government and Indigenous communities. Last year, Ottawa and Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding that included a path for a possible oil pipeline and lifting of an oil tanker ban along B.C.'s North Coast. Several First Nations have publicly opposed those projects and say the tanker ban should be respected. Key facts: - The prime minister will meet with leadership of Coastal First Nations at 9 a.m. PT for a private event. - A memorandum of understanding between Ottawa and Alberta signed last year included a path forward for a possible oil pipeline and the lifting of a tanker ban along B.C.'s North Coast. - Gitga'at First Nation spokesperson Art Sterritt said he hopes to educate the prime minister on the consequences of a potential spill and wants the current oil tanker ban respected. - Sterritt said communities have food, wildlife and functioning environments within their traditional territories and argued that any jobs created are not worth the environmental risk. - Sterritt cited past sinkings, including the Queen of the North and an older U.S. navy vessel, and said the navy vessel has not been recovered or fully cleaned up and leaked fuel in 2012. - The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs issued a statement in November opposing liquefied natural gas projects such as Ksi Lisims and the North Coast Transmission Line, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said Indigenous rights are not being heard. Summary: The meeting is framed as a discussion of ongoing projects and potential federal-Indigenous partnerships while several First Nations have voiced clear opposition to pipeline and LNG development and want the tanker ban upheld. The prime minister's private meeting with Coastal First Nations leadership is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT; further outcomes from the discussion were not reported.