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Calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley brazen and arrogant, Indigenous leaders, MPs, and mayors today reiterated their firm opposition to Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that the federal government is in talks with Kinder Morgan to finance the pipeline, but they insist he is ignoring the rights of First Nations on unceded territory.
It’s an oversight that will “limit any ability to address risk and uncertainty for this ill-conceived project,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
Making unilateral decisions about projects on unceded Indigenous territories is the exact opposite of reconciliation, he said.
“We confirm that our opposition is resolute, and we fully intend to stop this massively destructive pipeline from being built.”
More than 185 people have been arrested in the past month for opposing the pipeline, and thousands of others continue to peacefully express their commitment to defend the land and water from the proposed TMX, reads a press statement from today, which was a response of a meeting on the pipeline between Notley, Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan. His NDP government is opposed to the project.
“Kinder Morgan needs the consent of all First Nations along the pipeline route—and they do not have it,” said UBCIC Vice President Bob Chamberlin. “Bailing out Kinder Morgan so they can trample Indigenous title and rights makes a mockery of the Canadian pledge to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples. Canada has committed to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and leaving proper restitution to First Nation peoples this late is unacceptable.”
Khelsilem (Dustin Rivers), spokesperson and elected Councillor for Squamish Nation said in the statement "the Squamish Nation has a responsibility to protect our environment and economy when it comes to increased oil tanker traffic through our territory.”
“Our rights are not being respected by the Canadian government. The Trudeau government is betraying their promises to British Columbians and First Nations.”
The cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, and Victoria are among the BC municipalities that also have stated opposition to the project, as is federal member of Parliament Saanich- Gulf Islands Elizabeth May
"I am appalled that our federal government is prepared to take public financial resources to push through an ill-conceived pipeline,” said May. “There is no independent cost-benefit analysis that makes the case that this is in the national interest.
“In their effort to serve the interests of this Texas pipeline company, the Liberals have broken their election commitments to end fossil fuel subsidies, to respect Indigenous rights, to deliver a climate plan and to make decisions based on evidence. Kinder Morgan is an Albatross around Trudeau's neck. He should cut it loose and keep his promises."
Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver, said “Vancouver stands strongly opposed to the Kinder Morgan pipeline and oil tankers, as we have done for the past six years since it was first proposed… Kinder Morgan’s pipeline is a huge threat to Vancouver’s environment and economy."