First Nations chiefs seek answers after pipeline deal omits water

The federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta on a proposed bitumen pipeline that makes no mention of freshwater or oilsands tailings ponds, and First Nations chiefs are demanding explanations.

The federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta that opens the door to a pipeline to transport bitumen to the B.C. coast. The agreement does not mention freshwater or the risks posed by oilsands tailings ponds, and that omission has prompted public questions from First Nations chiefs. Ottawa previously launched the Crown-Indigenous Working Group in 2021 to develop options for managing and remediating tailings ponds. The Major Projects Office is the body that would review any eventual pipeline proposal. Key points: - The memorandum of understanding advances discussions about a bitumen pipeline but contains no provisions on water use, water quality or tailings-pond management. - The Privy Council Office did not provide a direct explanation for why water was omitted or say whether water-quality and effluent treatment requirements will be applied to Alberta's proposal. - The Major Projects Office will review any future pipeline proposal, and the Crown-Indigenous Working Group remains involved in exploring options related to tailings and effluent. - First Nations leaders and organizations, including Keepers of the Water, have raised concerns about water consumption, tailings pond impacts, and references in the agreement to the oil tanker moratorium. Summary: The omission of water and tailings issues from the federal-provincial memorandum has led First Nations chiefs to seek answers and raise concerns about downstream and treaty-related impacts. The Major Projects Office will review any pipeline proposal and the Crown-Indigenous Working Group continues its work; further outcomes are undetermined at this time.