Protect BC’s Unceded Indigenous Territories: Reject Any Use of “National Interest” Powers to Force Pipelines, Refineries, or Tanker Routes

 

 

We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to affirm that no federal “national interest” designation may override Indigenous title, Section 35 rights, or BC’s jurisdiction over environmental protection, water, coastal safety, and land use.

British Columbia remains overwhelmingly unceded Indigenous territory.

No treaties were signed.

The Crown never lawfully acquired underlying title.

Indigenous Nations retain constitutional rights that governments must uphold, including the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) set out in UNDRIP and in BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

 

Any attempt by Ottawa or Alberta to declare a pipeline, refinery, or tanker corridor “for the national interest” is incompatible with:

Section 35 of the Constitution
Supreme Court rulings (Haida, Tsilhqot’in, Mikisew, Delgamuukw)
The honour of the Crown
UNDRIP
The environmental and coastal safety obligations owed to the people of British Columbia

 

We reject any effort to impose industrial megaprojects on Indigenous territories through outdated colonial powers such as Section 92(10)(c), the declaratory authority, or misused “national interest” justifications.

 

We therefore call on:

1. The Government of Canada

 

To immediately and publicly confirm that it will not use “national interest” powers to override Indigenous title or provincial environmental authority in British Columbia, and to respect FPIC for all major projects affecting unceded territories.

 

2. The Government of British Columbia

 

To assert its jurisdiction over coastal protection, water licensing, land use planning, spill response standards, and environmental assessment, and to refuse all permits for federally-driven megaprojects lacking Indigenous consent.

 

3. The United Nations

 

Copies of this petition will be submitted to:

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

 

We request international monitoring of Canada’s compliance with UNDRIP and FPIC in British Columbia, and call on UN bodies to review any federal attempts to impose industrial infrastructure on unceded territories.

 

4. His Majesty King Charles III

 

A copy of this petition will also be sent to the King, as the symbolic head of the Crown responsible for the constitutional relationship with Indigenous Peoples. We call on the Crown to uphold its honour and recognize the unceded status of British Columbia.