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Métis leaders in oilsands region say they haven’t been consulted on proposed Pacific Link pipeline
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-15 12:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, British Columbia, Energy, Indigenous, Infrastructure]Métis leaders representing six communities in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region have accused Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government of failing to consult them regarding the proposed Pacific Link pipeline. The proposed 1,000,000 barrel-per-day oil pipeline—designated as being in the national interest under the Building Canada Act—aims to connect Alberta's oilsands to a deepwater port near Delta, British Columbia, with approvals targeted for September 2027 and operations slated for 2032 or 2033. While the federal government has engaged First Nations leadership and announced a 10 per cent Indigenous ownership stake, local Métis presidents including Ruby Ladouceur of Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation and Stella Lavallee of Willow Lake Métis Nation expressed concerns over potential environmental impacts and the lack of inclusion in project discussions.
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Cold Lake First Nations seeking judicial review of Pacific Link pipeline designation
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-08 19:37:43.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, British Columbia, Indigenous, Energy, Infrastructure]Cold Lake First Nations filed an application for judicial review in Federal Court challenging the federal government's decision to designate the Pacific Link pipeline as a project in the national interest under the Building Canada Act. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the fast-tracking of the West Coast oil pipeline project with the goal of completing reviews and consultations over the next year to begin construction by next September. Cold Lake First Nations Chief Kelsey Jacko stated that his community was excluded from consultations on the designation despite being situated in the oilsands region. The legal challenge argues that the designation breaches Canadian law, is inconsistent with the honour of the Crown, and fails to account for adverse effects on Treaty No. 6 rights and cumulative oilsands development impacts.
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Indigenous, local leaders optimistic about new pipeline despite “host of issues” Carney says Federal government is yet to address
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-05 16:03:04.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, British Columbia, Energy, Infrastructure, Environment, Indigenous]Prime Minister Mark Carney, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Pembina Pipeline Corp. CEO Scott Burrows announced that the Pacific Link Pipeline (formerly West Coast Oil Pipeline) has been officially listed as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. The project aims to export an additional one million barrels of Albertan oil per day to Asian markets, generate over $20 billion annually in GDP, create 140,000 jobs, and provide a 10 per cent ownership stake to Indigenous communities in British Columbia and Alberta through an accelerated single federal regulatory review process. However, the initiative faces ongoing concerns from local Indigenous groups—including Fort McKay First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation—regarding unresolved legacy issues, carbon capture and storage technologies like the Pathways Project, mine water release, and effluents regulations tied to a trilateral memorandum of understanding aiming to double regional oil production to eight million barrels per day within a decade.
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Separatist, environment, and some First Nation groups speak out against new Alberta-B.C. pipeline
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-02 20:03:56.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, British Columbia, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Indigenous]Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that the Pacific Link pipeline, proposed by Pembina Pipeline Corporation, has been designated a project of national interest, allowing it to be fast-tracked through Ottawa's major projects office with construction potentially starting in September. The pipeline faces strong opposition from Alberta separatists like Let Alberta Decide over public financing and timing, B.C. and Alberta First Nations including Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the Union of B.C. Indigenous Chiefs over lack of consultation and environmental impacts, and environmental groups like the Pembina Institute and Ecojustice over increased greenhouse gas emissions and risks to the Salish Sea.
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Building wildfire resilience throughout B.C.
Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-09-13 20:00:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, Emergency, Climate, Environment, Infrastructure, Indigenous]The Government of British Columbia announced an investment of $15 million under Budget 2026 for the 2027 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FCFS) program, with applications opening October 1, 2026. Delivered in partnership with the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, the program funds local wildfire-risk-reduction projects, education, home assessments, and mitigation planning. Since 2018, approximately $190 million has been invested through the initiative, supporting more than 300 communities, including 158 First Nations and 155 local governments.
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Enabling more communities to dial 911 in an emergency
Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-09-11 16:15:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, Emergency, Public Safety, Indigenous, Infrastructure]The Government of British Columbia is making up to $5 million available through Next Generation 911 (NG911) funding to help eligible rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition from local 10-digit emergency numbers to standard three-digit 911 calling. Administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), this funding is part of a broader $60-million provincial package announced in 2023 to support the emergency services transition. The grants will cover one-time technical, contractual, and coordination work, including public education, mapping, signage, and fire department enablement. This initiative builds on regional connectivity expansions to ensure reliable access to police, fire, and ambulance services across regions like Haida Gwaii.
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Strengthening public notifications, evacuation-route plans
Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-09-09 15:30:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, Emergency, Climate, Indigenous, Infrastructure]The Government of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, has approved more than $1.3 million for 29 projects across 36 First Nations and local governments via the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. The funding supports the development and updating of evacuation-route plans, route mapping, public-notification plans, and tabletop validation exercises to enhance disaster readiness. Notable recipients include the Neskonlith Indian Band, the District of Kitimat, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (partnering with the Village of McBride, Village of Valemount, District of Mackenzie, and Simpcw First Nation), and the Town of Creston, among 25 other regional districts and First Nations. Since 2017, the CEPF has allocated approximately $7.8 million across 212 projects for this specific funding stream.
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North Coast Transmission Line breaking ground to power economic growth
Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-09-03 18:40:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, National, Infrastructure, Energy, Mining, Indigenous]The Government of British Columbia and BC Hydro, alongside federal funding support through the Canada-British Columbia Co-operative Prosperity Agreement and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, have broken ground on the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) to expand clean electricity infrastructure in northern B.C. The multi-phase project—consisting of Phase 1 from Prince George to Glenannan (completing by mid-2030) and Phase 2 extending toward Terrace (construction beginning in 2027 and completing by winter 2032)—will more than double transmission capacity to power major mining, energy, and industrial projects. Once finished, the NCTL is expected to employ 1,400 workers at peak construction, create 9,700 direct full-time jobs, contribute nearly $10 billion annually to provincial GDP, and generate approximately $950 million annually in provincial and municipal revenue. Additionally, the project involves ongoing negotiations to finalize co-ownership agreements with First Nations by the end of the year to ensure direct economic participation and sustained revenue sharing.
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