Métis leaders in the Wood Buffalo area of Alberta are criticizing the federal government for not involving them in talks regarding the proposed Pacific Link pipeline project. Prime Minister Mark Carney engaged with several First Nations leaders before declaring the West Coast oil pipeline as being of national interest, but Métis community leaders from six regions stated they were not consulted prior to the announcement. In a press conference in Fort McMurray, Alberta, the Métis leaders highlighted their exclusion from the joint federal-provincial news briefing on October 1 and expressed their dissatisfaction with not being informed about ownership shares in the venture.
During the news conference, Kelly Myers, Fort McMurray Métis district captain, emphasized the importance of not remaining silent in the face of exclusion, stating that the lack of invitation to the pipeline announcement event demonstrated a lack of respect towards the Métis community. The federal government’s Privy Council Office was reached out to for comment by CBC News but had not responded by the time of reporting.
The proposed Pacific Link pipeline aims to transport one million barrels of oil daily from Alberta’s oilsands to a deepwater port near Delta, B.C., pending approval. Both the federal and Alberta provincial governments are targeting construction approvals by September 2027, with the pipeline expected to be operational by 2032 or 2033. Carney has announced that a 10% ownership share will be available to Indigenous communities, along with opportunities for Indigenous contracting and employment.
The Métis leaders representing communities in Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Willow Lake, Conklin, and Chard expressed their concerns and posed questions at the news conference, indicating that while they did not oppose the pipeline, they had reservations that they wished to address before any federal agreements were finalized. Ruby Ladouceur, president of Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, voiced concerns about potential environmental impacts resulting from increased oilsands development, echoing worries about accidents affecting water, land, and air quality.
Stella Lavallee, president of Willow Lake Métis Nation, criticized the lack of consultation with their communities, emphasizing that being left out of the decision-making process was counterproductive. Zoe De Jonge, press secretary for Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney, confirmed ongoing discussions with Indigenous leaders about the project, reiterating the government’s commitment to engaging with First Nations and Métis communities in the region.
