MEDIA RELEASE: Pacific North Coast Nations Advise Pipeline CEOs of Legal & Financial Risk of a Northwest Crude Oil Pipeline
Haida, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Gitga’at, and Heiltsuk Nations advise pipeline companies of risk of backing a Northwest Coast crude oil pipeline and tankers project, urge CEOs to stay away
Treaty 7 Territories, Calgary, Alberta (April 22, 2026) – First Nations leaders from Coastal British Columbia have a clear message to potential private sector proponents of a new bitumen pipeline: “steer clear.”
Leaders from the Haida Nation, Gitga’at First Nation and Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation are in Calgary today meeting with the CEOs of major Canadian pipeline companies.
During meetings with senior leadership of Pembina Pipeline Corporation and Trans Mountain Corporation, the leaders delivered a joint letter on behalf of six North Pacific Coast Nations, reiterating the Nations’ continued, steadfast opposition to a Northwest Coast crude oil pipeline project and urging companies to avoid getting involved. The letter, which was also delivered to several other major pipeline companies who declined to meet with the Nations, advises of the legal and financial risks of backing a crude oil pipeline and tanker project that is opposed by title holders, in a time of global transition away from fossil fuels.
“Companies considering backing this potential pipeline should know that we will never allow crude oil tankers on our coast,” said Chief Councillor Christopher McKnight, Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation. “We have the responsibility to look after our territories and will use every option available to do so. We remain committed to investing in the growing, reliable coastal economy. Any potential oil spill would risk it all.”
Despite the resounding legal defeat of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tankers project in 2016, the November 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governments of Alberta and Canada has revived the push for a new bitumen pipeline from the Alberta oil sands to the Northwest Coast of BC. The MOU requires that any new bitumen pipelines be “private sector constructed and financed.” So far, no pipeline companies have come forward in support of this contentious proposal.
Following today's meetings, the leaders noted that they had good discussions with the two pipeline companies who agreed to meet, and thanked them for meeting with the delegation. The company executives appeared to understand the message from the Nations, and one noted that this was the first delegation of BC coastal leaders that he has ever heard of bringing their message to Calgary.
Recognizing the significant risk that a potential pipeline and tankers would bring to the coast and its economy, the Province of BC has joined Coastal Nations in signing the North Coast Protection Declaration, urging the federal government to "stand firm” in its commitment to uphold the North Coast oil tanker ban.
“In a recent meeting with our Nations, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that his government will seek our free, prior, and informed consent regarding potential projects in our territories,” said Gaagwiis, President of the Haida Nation. “As the inherent Title Holders of our territories, we remain united in our opposition to crude oil tankers in our waters. There is no pathway to yes for us when it comes to this level of risk to our food security, culture, and way of life.”
In the letter to pipeline CEOs, signatories emphasize that any Northwest Coast crude oil pipeline project is destined to fail, noting that any company stepping forward inherits the legacy of the failed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipe dream and will face the same powerful opposition and legal risk. Signatories add that Canada’s new streamlined approach to assessing projects, under the Building Canada Act, is unproven and is likely to become mired in legal challenges.
“Gitga’at First Nation has been steadfast and consistent in our opposition to oil tanker traffic in our territories for more than 50 years,” said Chief Wii Hai Waas. “Our unwavering commitment to defending our people and territory from oil tankers – on the water, in the boardroom and in the courts – defeated the Enbridge project and any new Northwest Coast pipeline and tanker project can expect to meet the same fate.”
“Looking ahead to the July 1st MOU deadline, we continue to uphold our inherent responsibilities to our territories and future generations by investing in an established, sustainable coastal economy that provides for our communities and all British Columbians. No companies have come forward to support a proposed oil pipeline and tankers project to the North Coast thus far and we expect it to stay this way,” said Marilyn Slett, Chief Councillor, Heiltsuk Nation.
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To arrange interviews:
Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President, Haida Nation, (250) 559-4468, communications@haidanation.com
Christopher McKnight, Chief Councillor, Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, (250) 986-6096
Wii Hai Waas Arnold Clifton Sr., Chief Councillor elect, Gitga’at First Nation, (250) 986-6096
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