Politics · Canada · 3 hrs ago
B.C. First Nations challenge federal fast-track decision on Pacific Link pipeline
Nine First Nations in British Columbia are challenging Ottawa’s pipeline decision in Federal Court.
They want the court to overturn the national-interest designation for Pacific Link, a proposed oil pipeline from Alberta to the Vancouver region.
The designation, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government in October, allows a faster federal review and permitting process.
The First Nations say they were not given enough information or meaningful consultation before the decision.
The proposed route and tanker traffic could affect fishing areas and salmon, including places used by communities along the Fraser River and the Salish Sea.
Pacific Link is planned to carry up to one million barrels of oil a day and is estimated to cost about $40 billion.
The challenges could delay the government’s fast-track plan, as past court rulings over Indigenous consultation delayed the Trans Mountain expansion.
The federal government says it considered Indigenous concerns and met its duty to consult; the court will decide whether the designation can stand.
Nine First Nations in British Columbia are challenging the federal government’s decision to fast-track review of the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline.
The nations argue Ottawa did not adequately consult them before designating the project as being in the national interest.
The designation, announced on Oct. 1, was the first made under the Building Canada Act.
The proposed pipeline would carry oil from Alberta to an export terminal in the Vancouver region and is estimated to cost about $40 billion.
The nations say the project threatens fishing rights, salmon and communities along its route and tanker paths.
- Who
- Nine First Nations in British Columbia have brought legal challenges. The federal government made the designation they are contesting.
- What
- The First Nations are asking the Federal Court to overturn the national-interest designation for the proposed Pacific Link pipeline.
- When
- The designation was announced on Oct. 1. The legal challenges were reported on Nov. 2, 2026.
- Where
- The proposed pipeline would run from Alberta to an export terminal in the Vancouver region.
- Why
- The First Nations say Ottawa failed to consult them adequately and did not fully assess risks to salmon, fishing rights and their territories.
First Nations challenging the designation
Federal government
Consultation
First Nations challenging the designation
The First Nations say Ottawa’s consultation was inadequate and rushed.
Federal government
The federal government’s order said it had taken concerns raised in consultation into account and fulfilled its duty to consult.
Project approval
First Nations challenging the designation
The First Nations argue the designation effectively pre-approved the pipeline and should be quashed.
Federal government
The government designated the project as being in the national interest, enabling a faster regulatory process.
Environmental and community risks
First Nations challenging the designation
The First Nations cite potential oil spills, threats to salmon and impacts on fishing rights and communities.
Federal government
The articles do not report the government’s response to these specific concerns.
Prime Minister Mark Carney declared the Pacific Link pipeline to be in the national interest.
Cold Lake First Nations in Alberta filed the first Federal Court case, focused on consultation and the related Pathways carbon capture project.
Tsartlip First Nation said it filed a Federal Court application for judicial review.
Indigenous leaders held a press conference in Richmond as First Nations’ legal challenges were reported.
- First national-interest designation
- Pacific Link was the first project designated under the Building Canada Act.
- Legal challenges
- Eight separate challenges were reported by Global News; the Globe and Mail described two new applications representing nine First Nations.
- Estimated cost
- $35.2 billion to $42.7 billion, according to Global News; about $40 billion, according to the Globe and Mail.
- Planned capacity
- One million barrels of oil a day, according to the Globe and Mail.
- Planned completion
- The pipeline is expected to be built and moving oil by 2032.
- River crossings
- The proposal involves more than 500 river crossings, including two new crossings along the Fraser River.
4 sources
B.C. First Nations file legal challenges to feds’ Pacific Link pipeline decision
First Nations court challenges pile up against Carney’s Pacific Link pipeline
First Nations challenge national interest designation for Alberta-B.C. pipeline
What people are saying
It bypasses the meaning of what consultation is.
the process was rushed. It was through the middle of summer and the government failed its basic test.
Approving the Pacific Link project without full assessment of risks to salmon and fishing rights, and without deep consultation to ensure the consent of all affected First Nations, is unacceptable and unlawful
Whether they’ll be successful or not is a very different question