VANCOUVER — Coastal First Nations in British Columbia have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging him to reject any new proposals for a crude oil pipeline to the northwest coast. This appeal comes as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith advocates for a private-sector pipeline intended to transport crude oil to the northern B.C. coast for export to Asia.

Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative, stated in a news release that no pipeline or oil tanker project would be acceptable to their group. She emphasized that any proposal to transport crude oil through their coastal waters is a "non-starter."

The Coastal First Nations are calling on Carney to uphold the 2019 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. This legislation prohibits oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude from stopping, loading, or unloading at ports or marine installations along the north coast. The act represents Canada’s commitment to over 50 years of efforts to safeguard the north Pacific coast, which includes the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, from the potential dangers of oil spills.

The nations reaffirmed their position, stating they have not wavered since oil tankers were banned from their territorial waters in 2010, based on their ancestral laws, rights, and responsibilities. They highlighted that the north Pacific coast is home to one of the richest and most productive cold-water marine ecosystems globally, serving as a vital source of sustenance, culture, and livelihood for coastal communities and all residents of B.C.

The group has proposed that the prime minister meet with them to "better understand the credible ecological treasure that is the north Pacific coast."

This letter follows a recent meeting where Carney engaged with hundreds of First Nations chiefs. During that meeting, he encountered resistance to the Building Canada Act, which allows the government to expedite major projects deemed in the national interest, potentially bypassing existing laws.

A news release from the Prime Minister's Office indicated that Carney will continue to meet with key stakeholders in the coming weeks. His goal is to ensure that significant projects are developed in full partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, contributing to a unified Canadian economy.