Tuesday January 13, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 1:30 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney today met with leadership of Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert.
He was accompanied by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, Housing Minister Gregor Robertson and BC Liberal MP Wade Grant who is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
This comes in the wake of a Memorandum of Understanding that the federal government signed with Alberta back in November 2025.
He opened his remarks to media by thanking Chief Marilyn Slett, Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, for the invitation to begin a conversation about conservation and economic opportunity in the region.
“It’s a big group because it’s an important time for our country. It’s a decisive moment for Canada,” said Carney regarding the number of key ministers that were part of today’s visit in Prince Rupert on BC’s north coast on the Pacific Ocean.
“I’m very focused on not just building but how we build and how we build together,” said Carney. “Today is really about a dialogue.”
“It’s a dialogue about what’s been happening in the region, the projects that have been led by the various First Nations here, The various opportunities that do exist. The imperative of conservation,” the prime minister said on an indoor balcony with a full view of the ocean with ships passing by in the distance.
“How we have been doing on conservation of this immense, precious natural heritage which is a huge responsibility for all us,” said Carney.
“But it’s core to the identity of the First Nations here. So how we work together to preserve that – to enhance it — while we’re looking for opportunities, said Carney.
“So today’s not a day for big announcements. It is a day for dialogue, for listening and working. There will be a time for coming back, with progress, particularly with respect to conservation,” said Carney in wrapping up a few minutes of remarks.
Topics discussed:
Yesterday, the prime minister’s media advisory said the discussion was to include aspects of major projects, marine conservation and ocean protection, and how Indigenous communities can be included as Canada strengthens its economy as the US trade threats continue.
“A true dialogue is working through things and determining where we can move forward together, very much in conservation as well as economic opportunities,” said Carney just ahead of departing the brief media session today.
Currently a tanker ban:
Currently there is a tanker ban that protects the inner channels of the BC north coast from oil spills from tanker ships. The pristine coastal area of the north island region in particular can arguably be permanently damaged by any sort of spill.
Weather conditions especially in winter are considered hazardous in the Hecate Strait.
Squeezing in this trip ahead of departing for China may be seen as important for assessing the possibility of success with a pipeline to the coast, before Carney meets with one of the intended international markets for oil through such a proposed pipeline.
Departure to China:
Prime Minister Mark Carney will depart for China’s capital city of Beijing on a flight from Vancouver International Airport at 2:45 pm PT today.
The trip to China is seen as a start to repairing Canada-China relations and ameliorating current trade tariff challenges.
Carney was already booked on a trip with many complexities, starting with China with high-stakes political and trade issues, then Qatar about trade, then Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.
Fitting in an equally significant visit to Prince Rupert shows the prime minister juggling domestic and national/international issues.
The trip to Prince Rupert also bears evidence of the importance of the MOU-related coastal major projects issue.
===== RELATED:
- Carney quick stop in Prince Rupert on his way to China (January 12, 2026)
- Prime Minister Carney to visit Qatar for bilateral engagement (January 8, 2026)
- Prime Minister Carney & German Chancellor Merz discuss Ukraine, Greenland & trade (January 8, 2026)
- January 2026: International engagement by Carney in China & Switzerland (January 7, 2026)
- The Paris Declaration: guarantees for Ukraine once a ceasefire happens (January 6, 2026)
- Carney and Smith sign pipeline MOU to facilitate economic growth (November 27, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: POLITICS | CANADA-NATIONAL | MAJOR NATIONAL PROJECTS | USA & GLOBAL