The BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) says the new Memorandum of Understanding between the federal government and the Province of Alberta exposes a fundamental contradiction between Canada’s stated commitments to reconciliation and its continued pursuit of a bitumen pipeline that many First Nations firmly oppose.
According to the BCAFN, the MOU disregards the rights, laws, and sovereignty of the First Nations whose territories the project would cross. The organization argues that the risks to land, water, and community well-being are profound and cannot be outweighed by economic incentives or partial consultation processes. They emphasize that free, prior, and informed consent is a legal requirement under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, B.C.’s DRIPA legislation, and First Nations’ own laws—standards they say are not being met.
The BCAFN also warns that proposed regulatory shortcuts under the Building Canada Act and related frameworks could further erode meaningful consultation, reinforcing harmful colonial practices and deepening mistrust.
Standing with Coastal First Nations and other affected communities, the BCAFN rejects the pipeline proposal and calls on all levels of government to uphold their obligations. They say true reconciliation requires respecting First Nations’ sovereignty, protecting the environment, and supporting sustainable, First Nations-led economic solutions that safeguard the land and future generations.
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