Official Response to Canada and BC's approval of Ksi Lisims LNG project through Haida Territorial Waters

September 17, 2025

Summary

• On September 15, 2025, Canada and BC both released their decision to approve the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project.

• If constructed, the Ksi Lisims LNG Project would add 148 liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker transits to Haida Territorial Waters.

• CHN strongly opposes the Ksi Lisims LNG project and has not consented to any transport of LNG or LPG through Haida Territorial Waters.

• CHN respects the Nisga’a Lisims Government self determination. We remain concerned about the negative impacts this project will have on the Haida Nation’s title and rights.

Key Concerns 

• CHN has expressed its concerns to Canada and BC surrounding the anticipated impacts of the project (and all commercial shipping) on Haida Gwaii and the Haida Nation. Concerns include:

  o Environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts on our open water areas and beaches, which will affect our fishing and tourism industries o Increased number of vessel loitering in Siigée G̲adsguusd McIntyre Bay

  o Increased risk of whale strikes o Increased noise pollution effects on fish and marine mammals o Impacts of gas extraction, distribution, and export on our shared ability to meet climate change mitigation goals

  o Increased risk of environmental emergencies as large vessel traffic increases between the shallow waters of Tsaan K̲waay Learmonth Bank and K'íis Gwaay Langara Island

  o Environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of a catastrophic event, such as an LNG grounding, or an explosion

• A recent study by Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Shipping found that there will be a 217% increase in shipping between Canada and Asia, from an average of 529 international vessels per year to 1,676 vessels per year by 2040.

• o This increase will be driven by tankers transporting LNG as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

Process

• Governments of Canada, BC, and CHN have been discussing this project for several years through the Crown environmental assessment process to seek our views on the proposed project.

• CHN, Canada and BC have all agreed that the Haida Nation holds Aboriginal title to all of Haida Gwaii from the mountain tops to the low tide mark.

  o CHN continues to exercise Haida title to the marine space through our government-to-government arrangements, and as a Nation, as we continue to build our Title Case for Haida Marine Territory. However, impact assessments for major projects are not part of our established co-governance tables with Canada or BC.

Looking Into the Future

• CHN will continue to exercise Haida Title and Rights to Haida Gwaii, including Haida Marine Territory.

  o We will continue to seek out government-to-government approaches to do this effectively.

• CHN strongly advocates for increased response capacity, including the continued presence of dedicated Emergency Tow Vessels in response to increases in marine traffic transiting to and from the North Coast of BC, and Canada and BC’s shared interest in fast-tracking major projects that include marine shipping.

  o CHN will continue to work with Canada through our government-to-overnment tables, including the Reconciliation Framework Agreement for Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection, to find solutions to marine shipping issues, including accident prevention and enhancing preparedness and response capacity in the event that accidents do occur.

• CHN maintains our strong opposition to any proposed oil tankers and strongly supports the federal government continuing to uphold the ban on oil tankers through the North Coast Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.