Chiefs unanimously pass emergency resolution backing oil tanker ban and First Nations on B.C. coast

By Brett Forester · CBC News · Dec 02, 2025

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/afn-assembly-major-projects-9.6999182

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) chiefs voted unanimously on Tuesday to demand the withdrawal of a new pipeline deal between Canada and Alberta, while expressing full support for First Nations on the British Columbia coast who strongly oppose the initiative.

Hundreds of First Nations leaders are gathered this week in Ottawa for their annual December meeting, where high on the agenda is the federal–provincial memorandum of understanding for a bitumen pipeline to Asian markets announced last week.

The deal contemplates changing the federal ban on oil tanker traffic in northern B.C. waters, but AFN delegates responded by passing an emergency resolution affirming their support for the moratorium.

“A pipeline to B.C.’s coast is nothing but a pipe dream,” said Chief Donald Edgars of Old Massett Village Council in Haida Gwaii, who moved the resolution.

The resolution also urges Canada, Alberta, and B.C. to recognize the climate emergency and uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

In an opening speech, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said it was “as if First Nations rights can be wiped away with one federal–provincial MOU.”

“Canada can create all the MOUs, project offices, advisory groups that they want: the chiefs are united,” she said.

“When it comes to approving large national projects on First Nations lands, there will not be getting around rights holders.”

The AFN advocates for more than 630 chiefs across Canada, who meet twice a year to set their policy priorities. Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to address the assembly Tuesday afternoon, alongside several cabinet ministers during the three-day meeting.

This is Carney’s first time attending an official AFN assembly since winning a minority government in April, though not his first time facing First Nations leaders with questions about his agenda. He earned mixed reviews in July following a hastily called summit meant to ease concerns about the Building Canada Act, which empowers cabinet to fast-track approvals for major projects deemed to be in the national interest.

Since then, the Carney government has referred two groups of projects to the new major projects office, in addition to the pipeline agreement with Alberta.

The memorandum of understanding mentions Indigenous co-ownership and economic benefits repeatedly, but First Nations groups in B.C. were quick to raise objections.

Marilyn Slett, Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation on the B.C. coast, said in a news release, “This pipeline project will never happen.”

The B.C. AFN stated it stands with coastal Nations and wants “all governments to abandon this pipeline project.”

The pipeline deal commits Canada and Alberta to respecting Indigenous and treaty rights and to “engaging in early, consistent, and meaningful consultation” with Indigenous peoples.

Bill S-2 on agenda

According to a draft AFN agenda, chiefs will hear directly from the major projects office and its Indigenous advisory committee on Wednesday.

They are also slated to discuss Bill S-2, proposed Senate legislation to amend the Indian Act, including eliminating the “second-generation cutoff” rule, which disqualifies children from Indian status after two generations with one non-status parent.

More than three dozen policy resolutions are also up for debate.