Tuesday October 7, 2025 | OTTAWA, ON [Updated October 8, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
On Monday in the House of Commons, Gord Johns, MP (Courtenay-Alberni) called on the federal government to uphold its commitment that no province or Indigenous group will be forced into unwanted energy projects.
His question during Question Period followed statements from Coastal First Nations that have rejected Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s push for a new pipeline and oil tankers on British Columbia’s north coast.
Smith’s push has been met in recent days with swift opposition from First Nations, environmental organizations, and British Columbia — all of whom warn of unacceptable risks of oil spills and the threat to coastal economies.
Smith has pushed back, essentially saying that the definition of all provinces working together is what defines Canada. Indeed, Prime Minister Mark Carney during his spring 2025 election campaign promoted Canada Strong and promised to unify the provinces at least through economic cooperation.
BC Premier David Eby has also taken a stand on Alberta’s thoughts of a pipeline through BC’s north to the province’s northwest coast. He was adamant last week, saying he was “being polite” in his descriptive of Smith’s idea to propose a northwest pipeline to the federal government as a major project of national significance.
There is no proponent for such a project, said Eby on October 1 in a press conference in BC.
Eby said that the Alberta Premier’s project “is not a real project” and is “taxpayer-funded wedge politics”.
“Let’s stay focussed on shovel-ready projects,” said Eby last week.
Red line:
“Oil tankers in our territories are a red line for our Nations. I have asked Premier Smith to stop pushing this non-existent project as it threatens the economy we have built and continue to build,” said Eby yesterday.
That echoed Premier Eby’s theme of the proposed pipeline being essentially fictional.
“Coastal First Nations have been clear for decades: there is no social license for crude oil pipelines and tankers on the Great Bear Coast,” said Johns on October 6.
“They have built a conservation-based economy that creates jobs, supports communities, and protects globally significant ecosystems. The Prime Minister promised no province or Indigenous group would be forced into a project they do not support—this government must keep that promise.”
Crude oil tankers:
Coastal First Nations President Marilyn Slett said last week: “We, along with the communities and municipalities of the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii, have fought to keep crude oil tankers out of our territorial waters for over 50 years.”
“Bill C-48 represents how valuable our coast is to all British Columbians, and we, along with the province, remain committed to keeping it in place,” said Slett.
Brought into law in 2019, Bill C-48 is also known as the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act which respects the regulation of vessels that transport crude oil or persistent oil to or from ports or marine installations located along British Columbia’s north coast.
For over 25 years, Coastal First Nations have built a conservation-based economy that delivers thousands of jobs and supports hundreds of local businesses. Their work has shown how sustainable development can support communities and protect ecosystems while providing long-term prosperity for British Columbia and Canada.
NDP stance:
The message from Indigenous leaders, the Province, and communities along the coast is united and clear: crude oil pipelines and tankers have no place on B.C.’s north coast.
“Gord Johns and the NDP will continue to press the federal government to uphold its commitments, defend Indigenous rights, and support real nation-building projects that strengthen communities, create good jobs, and safeguard the environment for future generations,” the NDP stated in a news release yesterday.
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