Indigenous groups split as Alberta–Ottawa plan West Coast pipeline

Alberta and the federal government have agreed to begin planning a possible new pipeline that would carry oil from Alberta to the B.C. coast. But Indigenous nations in Alberta have mixed feelings about the idea, even though one Indigenous group has been named a key partner.

The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC) was listed as a major partner in the new agreement. AIOC’s Channa Martineau said this is only an early step, but an important one.

She explained that if Indigenous communities are going to be real partners, they need to be involved right from the start — not after most plans are already made.
“Those first conversations can be tough,” she said, “but they’re better than having problems later.”

So far, AIOC has supported around $745 million in loan guarantees for projects involving 43 First Nations.

However, the pipeline cannot move forward without approval from affected First Nations in both Alberta and British Columbia. Some leaders say they were not included early enough.

The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations said it wants to work with both Ottawa and Alberta on economic opportunities but is “disappointed” that it wasn’t part of the decision-making process. Much of the possible pipeline route goes through Treaty 6 territory.

Under the proposed plan, the pipeline would move about 300,000 to 400,000 barrels of bitumen per day to the West Coast for export to Asia.

The plan may also require changes to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which currently bans large oil tankers from a section of B.C.’s northern coast due to environmental risks.

Environmental concerns remain strong. Rick Steiner, who responded to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, warned that no matter how strict the safety rules are, tankers still carry the risk of major spills.

To allow tanker traffic linked to a new pipeline, the federal government would need to grant an exception to the tanker ban or change its boundaries. But B.C. Coastal First Nations say they will not support any exemption.

Alberta’s Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney said she is trying to hold open and honest conversations with all Indigenous communities. She recently met with Chief Kelsey Jacko of Cold Lake First Nation and said the meeting was positive.

Martineau says both energy companies and Indigenous communities must update how they view each other. She believes old stereotypes still influence how both sides interact.