B.C. Coastal First Nations dismiss any pipeline MOU, vow it will ‘never be built’

West Coast tanker ban

The West Coast Oil Tanker Ban took effect in 2019 and blocks tankers from transporting more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil along B.C.’s northern coastline. This federal law underpins opposition to any new oil export project from the central and north coast and Haida Gwaii.

Position of Coastal First Nations

Coastal First Nations say they will use “every tool in their toolbox” to prevent oil tankers from entering northern coastal waters. They emphasize that as Rights and Title holders of the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii, they will not allow oil tankers on their coast and insist that the proposed North Coast Pipeline “will never be built.”

Pipeline MOU with Alberta and Ottawa

Ottawa is moving toward a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alberta on energy that could involve a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast. The project would require new or expanded port facilities in Prince Rupert or Kitimat and at least a partial rollback of the tanker ban, which Coastal First Nations categorically reject.

Federal government conduct and consultation

Coastal First Nations leaders say they have met a “wall of silence” from the federal government during this process. They argue this behaviour is not honourable and conflicts with Canada’s constitutional, legislative and international obligations toward coastal First Nations.

Tanker ban is non‑negotiable

Coastal First Nations state that the tanker ban “is not up for negotiation” and no agreement between governments will alter that. They stress they will never accept exemptions or carve‑outs that would open the door to crude oil tankers in their waters.

Provincial political context

The pipeline debate has fueled tension between B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who have sparred publicly for weeks. Eby has also indicated he wants to act as a “team player” with the federal government in discussions, even as First Nations reiterate their firm opposition to the project.

Preferred path for development

Coastal First Nations leaders acknowledge Canada’s economic challenges but say solutions must be “nation‑building” and created in partnership with Indigenous peoples. They propose focusing on projects that protect the environment, diversify the economy and generate sustainable jobs in their communities, rather than what they describe as politically driven MOUs that divide the country.

“We will never allow oil tankers on our coast, and this pipeline project will never happen.”

Leaders say the tanker ban is not negotiable and no memorandum of understanding will change that status.

Author’s summary

Coastal First Nations firmly reject any pipeline MOU that weakens the tanker ban, pledging legal and political resistance while calling for cooperative, sustainable, Indigenous‑led economic development instead.

Global News — 2025-11-26