The Nisga’a Lisims government says it has not been contacted by the Alberta government on possible pipeline routes, despite reports of proposals involving the nation’s territory.
“We can confirm that the Nisga’a Lisims government has held no discussions with Alberta and the federal government about any oil pipeline proposals,” a June 2 statement from the nation says.
The Nisga’a were responding to reports from CBC News of leaked documents that show three proposed northern routes for a new oil pipeline carrying Alberta bitumen to B.C.’s north coast. The Nisga’a Nation points out that some of the port choices shown in those documents are within its territory and would need permission.
“All Nisga’a citizens can rest assured that despite this ill-conceived process being advanced by the Alberta government, nothing can happen on our lands without our consent, our treaty guarantees it,” the nation says.
Black Press Media has reached out to the Nisga’a Lisims government for further comment.
Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney said in an emailed statement that no route has been chosen yet, and the province is still engaging with Indigenous partners and communities to “better understand local priorities, perspectives and concerns.”
“This initial phase is about exploring technical requirements, quantifying costs, laying the groundwork for meaningful Indigenous partnerships, building relationships, and making the case for why this pipeline is in the national interest,” she said.
B.C. Premier David Eby said on Tuesday that he had not seen these route proposals, but he opposed any plan that would require lifting the ban on heavy oil tankers docking in the region, something these proposals would need.
“There is no world in which there will be a pipeline that goes through the north of British Columbia, bringing diluted bitumen, if it requires the oil tanker ban to be lifted,” he said.
Eby went on to say that he did not want to endanger roughly $40 to $50 billion in liquefied natural gas projects approaching final investment decision in the region “for a speculative project from a province that has a premier that is actively threatening to leave confederation,” referring to the Alberta separatist movement.
The Nisga’a Nation is a partner in some of the largest of these LNG projects, including the Ksi Lisims export terminal and the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission line that would link to it.
“Our Nation is singularly focused on developing our own gas projects, Ksi Lisims and PRGT, in a way that is compatible with our values and long-term objectives,” the Nisga’a government says.
Several other B.C. coastal First Nations have also stated their firm opposition to lifting the tanker ban, including the Heiltsuk and Haida Nations.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed openness to another pipeline to the Vancouver area, but says she prefers a northern option to cut the distance for ships sailing to Asia.
Asked about the proposed routes during an unrelated press conference on Wednesday, Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said his government will not address any proposals until they are officially brought forward by the Alberta government, which is considered the proponent according to a November memorandum of understanding.
“We’re not choosing the route, so we’re waiting for the proponent to come forward with the route that they want to propose,” Hodgson said. “That’s how the MOU was structured, and that’s how we will work with Alberta and British Columbia on this issue.”
Alberta has until July 1 to submit a proposal to the federal government’s major projects office.