Carney meets coastal First Nations in B.C. to discuss resource development

Prime Minister Carney met with elected and hereditary leaders in Prince Rupert to discuss resource development and ocean protection, and the nations, joined by the B.C. government, said they will oppose lifting the north coast oil tanker ban.

Prime Minister Carney met with elected and hereditary chiefs and councillors in Prince Rupert to discuss resource development and ocean protection. He accepted a long-standing invitation for the meeting before leaving on a trade mission to China. The gathering comes after a memorandum of understanding between the federal government and Alberta to explore a new northern pipeline route. The Coastal First Nations and the B.C. government have said they will continue to oppose lifting the north coast oil tanker ban. Key points: - The meeting took place in Prince Rupert and involved elected and hereditary leaders and councillors. - Coastal First Nations, together with the British Columbia government, have vowed to fight to keep the north coast oil tanker ban in place. - The federal government and Alberta signed an MOU late last year to pursue options for a new pipeline to the West Coast. - Any change to the tanker ban would require lifting or amending federal legislation (Bill C-48), as reported. Summary: The meeting highlighted a divergence between federal and Alberta efforts to explore pipeline routes and local and provincial opposition focused on coastal protection. Undetermined at this time.