Métis leaders in oilsands region say they haven’t been consulted on proposed Pacific Link pipeline
Métis leaders in the Fort McMurray region are protesting their exclusion from consultations regarding the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline. They argue that the government's failure to engage them on the project, which was recently designated as being in the national interest, is disrespectful.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the Canadian government and Indigenous groups regarding resource development and consultation rights.
Before announcing earlier this month that the new West Coast oil pipeline would be designated as being in the national interest under the Building Canada Act, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with several First Nations leaders about the issue. But the leaders of six Métis communities say he never met with them to discuss the proposed pipeline before announcing it.
At a news conference held in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Tuesday, Métis leaders noted they were also not invited to the joint federal-provincial news conference for the pipeline announcement on Oct. 1, and were not told about ownership stakes for the project.
“Silence is acceptance and that’s why we’re not silent,” Kelly Myers, district captain for Fort McMurray Métis, told reporters.
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