• B.C. First Nations file legal challenges to feds’ Pacific Link pipeline decision

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-11-02 22:44:54.0
  Tags: [National, British Columbia, Alberta, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Indigenous, Resources]

  First Nations in British Columbia, including the Tsartlip First Nation, Boston Bar First Nation, Cheam First Nation, Lower Nicola First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Kwikwetlem First Nation, Skeetchestn Indian Band, St’at’imc Nation, and T’Sou-ke First Nation, have filed eight separate legal challenges in Federal Court against the federal government's decision to grant national interest designation under the Building Canada Act to the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline. The multibillion-dollar project, carrying an estimated price tag between $35.2 billion and $42.7 billion, is designed to run from Alberta to B.C.'s coast mostly following the Trans Mountain pipeline route and would include more than 500 river crossings, raising environmental and fishing rights concerns among First Nations over potential impacts to Fraser River wild salmon and Salish Sea tanker traffic. The legal applications argue that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government and the federal major projects office failed in their statutory duty to meaningfully consult Indigenous communities during the three-month review process.

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• 'Let's do it right': N.W.T. downstream leaders and advocates on Alta. oilsands tailings release

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-10-22 17:08:09.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Environment, Energy, Resources, Indigenous]

  Indigenous communities, advocacy groups like Alternatives North, and downstream leaders in the Northwest Territories are calling on federal and territorial governments to review Suncor's proposed oilsands tailings release into the Athabasca River system. Critics cite major scientific data gaps, potential health risks to communities dependent on municipal supplies from Lake Athabasca and Great Slave Lake, and the inadequacy of the 2015 N.W.T.-Alberta Bilateral Water Management Agreement. N.W.T. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald stated that the territory opposes the treat-and-release plan until scientific uncertainties are resolved, though primary regulatory authority rests with the federal government and the Alberta Energy Regulator.

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• Alberta Court of Appeal says Impact Assessment Act is still unconstitutional

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-09 22:16:10.0
  Tags: [Alberta, National, Environment, Energy, Resources, Governance]

  In a 4-1 decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled that the federal government's Impact Assessment Act (originally passed as Bill C-69) remains unconstitutional because it still grants federal authorities the power to halt projects entirely within provincial jurisdiction based on minimal federal impacts. The legal challenge was brought by Alberta with backing from Ontario and Saskatchewan, following previous rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called on the federal government to accept the ruling and avoid another appeal, while federal officials stated they are reviewing the decision. Meanwhile, the federal government is attempting to transfer energy project reviews to the Canada Energy Regulator through Bill C-39 while maintaining compliance with the Impact Assessment Act.

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