Coastal First Nations say they are open to cooperation, not pipelines

After a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Coastal First Nations reaffirmed their opposition to a proposed Alberta oil pipeline and said they are open to cooperation with the federal government on stewardship and marine preparedness.

Coastal First Nations leaders held a private meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Prince Rupert and said they remain opposed to a proposed Alberta oil pipeline. They invited the prime minister to visit their territories to discuss North Coast resource projects and shipping. Leaders framed their stance as responsibility for their lands and waters, stressing the need to protect local economies, culture and marine ecosystems. The meeting focused on identifying shared priorities; no commitments were announced. What we know: - The meeting included Prime Minister Mark Carney, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, and was held in Prince Rupert. - Coastal First Nations reiterated opposition to the proposed pipeline and said they are open to working with the federal government on stewardship, response planning and marine preparedness. - Carney described the session as a dialogue and leaders said he confirmed the government would seek free, prior and informed consent for any pipeline project. - Leaders raised concerns about rising vessel traffic — reported to be projected to increase about 217 percent to more than 1,000 transits a year — and the region’s current gaps in spill response capacity, especially in the Hecate Strait and Great Bear Sea. - Alberta has said it intends to submit a pipeline application by June and has asked for accelerated permitting; how the federal government will determine whether consent and consultation requirements have been met remains undetermined. Summary: Coastal First Nations’ position underscores tensions between calls for expanded oil infrastructure and concerns about coastal stewardship, marine safety and cultural impacts. Alberta’s stated application timeline and federal assurances about seeking consent were noted, but how consent and consultation will be resolved is undetermined at this time.