British Columbia’s Energy Minister, Adrian Dix, applauds the recent unanimous vote by more than 600 First Nations chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa to maintain the oil tanker ban along the northern coast. This decision echoes the province’s stance against a potential northern coast pipeline project, emphasizing the need for exploring alternative solutions.
The assembly’s vote, seeking Ottawa’s commitment to upholding the oil tanker ban and retracting the recent memorandum of understanding with Alberta, reflects the historical perspective of First Nations. The MOU, signed without any concrete project or proponent in place, faces scrutiny for its lack of viability.
According to Dix, pushing for a new pipeline in northern British Columbia lacks economic rationale. He highlights that there are no serious proposals for a southern pipeline either. Instead, Dix advocates for optimizing existing pipelines as a more cost-effective and viable solution compared to embarking on new construction projects.
Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations, expresses gratitude for the assembly’s solidarity in protecting B.C.’s northern coast. She emphasizes that safeguarding this region should not be subject to negotiation but rather a non-negotiable responsibility for the federal government.
Both the Coastal First Nations and Premier David Eby stress the importance of obtaining the consent of nations before advancing any northern pipeline project that would necessitate lifting the tanker ban. Eby warns against the diversion of resources towards a potentially unnecessary project, labeling it as an “energy vampire” that could drain government resources.