Prime Minister Carney flew into Prince Rupert Monday night, to meet with Coastal First Nations this morning.
Ahead of the meeting, Coastal First Nations said in a statement that they are looking forward to a productive and collaborative discussion with Prime Minister Carney on how to advance shared priorities around sustainable economic development and marine protection in the region.
They maintained that Coastal First Nations remains united in their opposition to oil tankers on the north coast - saying that stance has not changed and will not change, and that they are committed to upholding Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.
Here’s what Minister Carney had to say ahead of the meeting:
“Today is really about a dialogue. It’s a dialogue of 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, how we have been doing on conservation. I mean, this immense, precious natural heritage, which is, a huge responsibility for all of us, but it’s core to the identity of the First Nations here.”
In a July open letter to Minister Carney, Chief Marilyn Flett requested on behalf of Coastal First Nations the government’s unwavering and consistent support of the 2019 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.
However, that consistent support remains in question, if an Alberta pipeline to BC’s North Coast is still on the table.