A day after Alberta and Canada announced a southern route ending in Roberts Bank in Delta for a proposed new oil pipeline, First Nations say they will need to see more project details and be adequately consulted before taking a position.
Tsawwassen First Nation Calls for Meaningful Engagement
“The main message is that we need meaningful engagement, and consultation in alignment with our constitutionally protected treaty rights,” Tsawwassen First Nation executive councillor Valerie Cross told Postmedia.
The estimated $35 billion to $44 billion proposed project includes a pipeline that would largely follow the existing Trans Mountain oil pipeline from Alberta south through B.C., with a 2.6 square kilometre terminal that will include storage tanks and two berths that can accommodate supertankers.
Project Location Overlaps Treaty Lands
Part of the project, including the marine terminal at Roberts Bank, is located within Tsawwassen First Nation Treaty lands, according to a project description filed by Alberta with the federal government’s major projects office. The office created last year is meant to speed up approvals, advance Indigenous reconciliation and boost Canada’s global export footprint away from reliance on the U.S.
A prospective timeline includes the federal government designating the project to be in the national interest by Oct. 1 and a construction start as early as the fall of 2027.
No Consultations Yet, Nation Says
Cross noted that to date there have been no consultations with the Tsawwassen Nation and that the community has not taken a position on the project. While the project is open to First Nations to take an ownership stake, Cross said it is too early to even consider that because they must first understand fully what the project encompasses and what will be its impacts.
In addition to consultations with governments, the Tsawwassen will also use its own newly created impact assessment process to examine the project.
Environmental and Community Concerns
“This includes considerations on the impact on the lands, on the waters, on the fisheries, on the marine ecosystems, the Fraser River Estuary, Roberts Bank, community well-being, and future generations,” said Cross. “Our members will be at the centre of any future decisions,” added Cross.
Roberts Bank already holds the GTC Deltaport container terminal, for which there are billion-dollar expansion plans. Trans Mountain’s existing oil terminal is in Burnaby.
Musqueam Also Seeks Details
In a written statement, the Musqueam said it understands the oil pipeline and terminal proposal would also cross its traditional territory. The Musqueam said it is interested in learning more about the project, including the opportunity of equity partnership, employment and training.
“For generations, we have been the stewards of the Fraser River and we take our role very seriously. As stewards, it is imperative that we better understand how the enhanced spill protection, and marine and environmental measures planned will protect our traditional land and water for generations to come,” said the Musqueam.
