With some industry proponents and politicians publicly attempting to revive plans to move oil through North Pacific Coast, we want make sure all levels of government understand that CFN member First Nations unanimously oppose oil tanker traffic through our coastal territories.
“There is no project or proponents that would be acceptable to us on the North Coast,” says Marilyn Slett, Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council and President of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative. “Anything that proposes to send oil through the coast is a non-starter.”
CFN fought hard to ensure our coast was protected from these threats by Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, and we know the majority of British Columbians stand with us.
The future of our coast, and of our country, still lies with clean, safe, and reliable energy projects. Our communities have been working tirelessly to replace fossil fuels with alternatives like solar and run-of-river hydroelectric, and we have been incredibly successful.
The province is aligned with us on this work, and we share that commitment with them that clean energy development must be done in partnership with First Nations. This is connected to economic reconciliation, growth, and our commitment to reduce the effects of climate change.
We have also made incredible investments in wild salmon habitat, in community-based hatcheries, and we have been instrumental in designing marine protected areas with our partners in industry and government that will enhance and rebuild our ocean resources.
“The North Pacific Coast is one of the richest cold water marine ecosystems on Earth and it’s a source of our sustenance, tied to our culture and the livelihoods of not just our communities but many British Columbians,” adds Slett. “We can’t have one livelihood at the cost of another.”
Our stance has not changed on this issue. We are opposed to oil tankers on our coast, and we always will be.
