Water, toxic waste and opportunity: Indigenous leaders react to Carney's pipeline plan
Indigenous leaders are expressing strong opposition to the proposed Pacific Link pipeline, citing environmental concerns and a lack of inclusive consultation. Prime Minister Mark Carney has designated the project a national priority, setting the stage for potential legal challenges and protests.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the ongoing tension between national economic development goals and the rights and environmental concerns of Indigenous communities.
Crude oil has been stored, re-routed and carried through the First Nation's traditional territory for decades. Silver fought the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in 2024 — and lost.
Today, he's gearing up for another fight: against the proposed Pacific Link pipeline, which will follow a similar route to Trans Mountain .
"It's absolutely going to go across our territory, no doubt there. And it's pretty alarming to a lot of our people," he said.
Chief Dalton Silver stands in front of the Trans Mountain facility on traditional territory of the Sumas First Nation. He says he's considering taking legal action against the proposed Pacific Link pipeline. (Josh McLean/CBC)
For years, Silver has worried about how the spills may have affected the community's drinking water. Now he's concerned Pacific Link will make things worse.
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