The president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is reversing his previous opposition to the scrapped Northern Gateway pipeline project that would have created another route for Alberta's oil to get to the Pacific Ocean.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said Tuesday that while he "really fought against" Northern Gateway's construction before it was scuttled in 2016, that was a "different time" and Canada now has "no choice" but to reconsider.
"We are staring into the abyss of uncertainty right now with climate change, the climate crisis and the American threat," Phillip said in a news conference ahead of a meeting with B.C. First Nations leaders and the provincial cabinet in Vancouver, highlighting the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.
"I would suggest that if we don't build that kind of infrastructure, Trump will — and there will not be any consideration for the environment or the rule of law or anything along those lines.
"I think that we can do better. I think we need to do better."
Phillip's comments came after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith suggested on social media that construction of the pipeline needs to "immediately start" to diversify the country's export markets, in light of Trump's threatened tariffs on Canadian exports.
Speaking with reporters virtually from Washington, D.C., Smith said the goal is to "stop being so reliant on a single trading partner."
"We've got to take down internal trade barriers between Canadian provinces, start looking at how we can do major nation building projects to our East and West Coast, whether it's Northern Gateway getting restarted in British Columbia or Energy East conversations getting started off the East Coast," she said.
Since the days where Phillip and others opposed the Northern Gateway project, a number of agreements that he described as "amazing" between First Nations, governments and corporations on resource development have yielded "clearly evident" benefits for Indigenous communities.
Prof. David Tindall, who's in the department of sociology at the University of British Columbia, said he found Phillip's comments "very surprising," given he was a "central player" in the resistance against another major B.C. pipeline project, the Trans Mountain expansion between Alberta and the B.C. coast that was completed last year.
Tindall, who's research has focused on environmental movements, said the shift may signal the knock-on effects of Trump's presidency on Canada's oil and gas energy projects, especially if the federal Conservatives also emerge victorious in the next election expected this year.
While a number of factors could push projects such as the Northern Gateway toward revival, there are opposing factors that would cast equal doubt on when such a pipeline would be completed.
"I do think that there will be substantial resistance from some other provinces, to some extent at the political level, and to some extent in terms of civil society," Tindall said.
"I think in British Columbia there would be a lot of resistance. So, I think there would be, certainly, pretty wide-scale resistance amongst civil society groups, environmental groups and other groups … (and) I suspect the current provincial government would not be supportive of that type of initiative."
Tindall also said there must also be a viable economic case for a corporation to take on the pipeline project, which must navigate what would likely be a series of court challenges from groups such as First Nations communities on the details of the project.
He noted that the federal Liberal government had to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline to make sure the project was completed.
Phillip was attending a gathering between B.C.'s cabinet and the province's First Nations leaders in Vancouver on Tuesday, where co-ordinated approaches to Trump's tariff threats are expected to be a key topic of discussion.
First Nations leaders said they need to be at the table for any "Team Canada" approach to engaging with the Trump administration.
But the leaders, including Phillip, political executive of the First Nations Summit Chief Cheryl Casimer, and Regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations Terry Teegee said no one has approached Indigenous communities about collaborating yet.
— With files from Lisa Johnson in Edmonton
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2025.
Comments
the world is screwed bc of pathetic moron leaders like this F-Face.. question is.. how much money did it take for him to sell his soul and his people's future?
JUST NUKE THE F'N WORLD AND GET IT THE F OVER WITH!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip: "We are staring into the abyss of uncertainty right now with climate change, the climate crisis and the American threat."
Righto, so let's build another oilsands export pipeline.
Looks like someone with oily hands put the squeeze on our erstwhile climate ally.
Phillip's reasoning is absurd:
"But 'that was a different time.
"'We're staring into the abyss of uncertainty' due to the combination of climate change and the 'American threat.'
"'I would suggest that if we don't build that kind of infrastructure, Trump will. And there will not be any consideration for the environment or the rule of law or anything along those lines. I think that we can do better.'"
Unravel that logic, if you can.
"Climate" pipelines have an inexplicable cachet in Canada.
Obviously contradictory climate policy.
Doubling down on fossil fuels sabotages Canada's climate targets, locking in production and emissions for decades. Climate insanity.
The IPCC warns that the world must nearly halve GHG emissions by 2030 and eliminate them by 2050 to keep warming below the danger limit of 1.5 C.
IEA's Net-Zero by 2050 report says no new investment in fossil fuels after 2021 to limit global warming to 1.5 C.
No time for fossil-fuel expansion.
But Chief Phillip knows better?
The devastation is already undeniable.
And Trudeau, Poilievre, Horgan, Eby, Kenney, Smith, Notley, Nenshi, and Phillip want to keep going?
As if Trump will pay attention to anything Canada does.
The U.S. is already the world's top oil producer and petroleum exporter.
"The Russia-Ukraine war remapped the world's energy supplies, putting the U.S. at the top for years to come" (CNBC, 2023)
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/03/ceraweek-how-russias-war-made-the-us-a-…
Does the Canadian O&G industry exercise greater consideration for the environment or the rule of law than its U.S. counterparts? News to me.
Ask the Wet'suwet'en about rule of law.
Ask the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation about the environment.
When it comes to oil exports, the U.S. and Canada are not really competitors. They sell different grades of crude oil to different markets.
The U.S. exports its light oil while its refineries import heavy oil. Over half of U.S. crude oil imports come from Canada.
Excellent explanation by CBC:
"Cutting off oil is Canada's nuclear option. What would it mean if it happens?" (Jan 19, 2025)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/crude-oil-tariffs-united-states-canada…
As my mother once told me, if you don't having anything bad to say about a new pipeline, don't say anything at all.
Chief Phillip: "I would suggest that if we don't build that kind of infrastructure, Trump will. And there will not be any consideration for the environment or the rule of law or anything along those lines. I think that we can do better."
The old ethical oil argument dressed up in buffalo hides and moccasins.
So much for the Seven Generations Principle.
Is Canada an ethical supplier of asbestos? Tobacco? Landmines? Horse meat?
Canada's oil is no more ethical than Canada's asbestos and tobacco is.
Is there a more destructive industrial project on the planet than the Alberta oilsands?
The oilsands industry grossly under-reports its emissions of all types. Under-reports or fails to report tailings pond leakage. Under-reports wildlife deaths. Ignores health toll in indigenous communities.
Even using the industry's gross under-estimates, Canada's oilpatch is the fourth most carbon-intensive on the planet, behind Algeria, Venezuela, and Cameroon. Almost twice the global average. Producing LESS Canadian heavy oil would be a net benefit.
Rystad Energy: "Among the top 10 oil and gas producing countries, Canada had the highest CO2 emission intensity per barrel of oil equivalent."
In bad times, the oil industry says it can't afford to clean up. In good times, the oil industry invests in more production instead.
Well cleanup is delayed indefinitely, until it can be dumped onto taxpayers.
That's the game. Ethical oil.
"Unscrupulous operators have been known to suspend wells indefinitely rather than pay to remediate and reclaim the site." (Calgary Herald, 2016)
"The asset manager BlackRock now lumps the oil sands industry with civilian firearms, tobacco and other pariah sectors."
"Alberta's oil producers hit record output but confront a dim future" (Financial Times, 2021)
- Oilsands mines and leaking toxic tailings ponds devastate landscape and wildlife, and threaten human health.
- In 2016, the AER found pipeline operators were "insufficiently trained or failed to detect leaks" — and in one third of cases it studied, it took on average 48 DAYS for companies to respond.
- Thousands of inactive and orphaned oil and gas wells in need of clean-up across the province bear testament to AB's slipshod regulations. Some have stood neglected for decades— a "testament to feeble regulation".
- "Canada's oil patch has nearly 100,000 suspended wells, neither active nor capped, and they're a worrying source of planet-warming methane." "These Zombies Threaten the Whole Planet" (NY Times)
- "Alberta issues 97% of reclamation certificates without ever visiting oil and gas sites" (The Narwhal)
- "Many of Alberta's 'reclaimed' wells aren't actually reclaimed: government presentation" (The Narwhal)
- Canadian refineries produce far higher levels of pollution but less oil compared to U.S. refineries.
- Suncor and U.S. refineries export petcoke from AB oilsands to developing nations as a cheap, lethal substitute for coal. Darkening skies and destroying lives.
- Industry and govt are running out the clock on AB's endangered caribou herds, while shooting and poisoning wolves, with untold collateral damage.
- AB's oil & gas industry has barely started to fund its clean-up liabilities: north of $260 billion.
- The industry is turning to taxpayers for bailouts while endlessly milking govts for subsidies.
- Endless oil spills.
- "Oil sands toxins growing rapidly"
- Heavy-oil pollution forced Peace River farm families to abandon their homes. "Families forced from homes settle with Baytex Energy" (CBC)
- Toxic leaking tailings ponds: 220 square km and growing.
- The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is a joke. "On its fifth anniversary, Alberta Energy Regulator has made little progress" (Edmonton Journal)
- "Alberta enforcing fewer than one per cent of oilsands environmental violations: Report" (Global News)
"Environmental protection must be part of reconciliation" (EJ, 2023)
"It is unconscionable that the AER does not hold the company accountable. Unfortunately, it's also not surprising. This report affirms what we've repeatedly witnessed — spills, leaks and overflows are considered acceptable and normal within the Canadian colonial system. Standard 'business as usual' holds no consequences for industry. It's the land, waterways and the people that are expected to shoulder the consequences.
"... This latest AER report exemplifies that lack of care and concern within colonial policies and procedures for Indigenous rights and downstream community members.
"As the country marks the third National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, communities downstream from the tar sands will determine what next steps, if any, are available to them in addressing the longstanding destruction caused by the Alberta tar sands.
"... We can't truly work toward reconciliation until the whole truth is told about the oppressive colonial systems and practices that caused, and continue to cause, harm to our lands, waterways and rights of our peoples. The Imperial Oil spill — and the AER's continued inability to hold oil companies accountability — is one example of these ongoing harms.
"... The AER report's protection of existing policies and procedures is a clear example of the importance of updating existing policies and ensuring that Big Oil companies do not continue to get off scot-free despite devastating local ecosystems and community health.
"If a report can determine that a massive leak putting Indigenous rights and health at risk does not violate AER regulations, then clearly something is wrong with those regulations. This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, let's shine a light on the laws that continue to hurt our land, air, water and people."
"In reality, the oil and gas industry has lobbied aggressively against the things it wants credit for, from carbon pricing to environmental regulations."
"Canada's oil and gas industry is its own worst enemy" (National Observer, 14-Mar-23)
"Alberta Energy Regulator sued by ACFN over seepages from oilsands site" (Fort McMurray Today, 2024)
"Kendrick Cardinal, president of Fort Chipewyan Metis and a RMWB councillor, said the seepages worsened existing fears about water quality. Cardinal said he has lost faith in the management of the oilsands.
"'I don't want to be a part of it anymore. As much as that hurts, it hurts to be a part of it… if it was up to me, I'd shut down the oilsands today,' said Cardinal, calling payments from industry 'the devil's dollar.'
"'No dollar will ever take back the lives of the people who died from cancer,' he said. 'Fort Chip is suffering and dying slowly. That's the cold hard truth.'
"ACFN councillor Mike Mercredi was one of the most outspoken people at the meeting. He called Pushor's responses to the community 'excuses,' and blamed cancers on the regulator and industry.
"'You've all failed your jobs. I've got a graveyard full of family and friends that you killed. Their blood is on your hands,' said Mercredi. 'Your regulations are being broken, your rules are being broken and you do nothing.'"
"Economic reconciliation" is "redwashing" — a cynical strategy to perpetuate the O&G industry, shield it from criticism, and disarm the opposition.
The same old "divide and conquer" tactics industry has used for decades. Pitting community against community. Dividing communities internally.
Co-opting indigenous communities to participate in the industry that has exploited them and their lands without genuine consultation, much less permission, for decades.
Impoverished communities feel they have no choice but to sign on for benefits. "Development" will go ahead with or without them. They can either sign on and get something, or stand back and get nothing. Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan can participate in their own destruction or protest to no avail.
Lots of jobs for indigenous people in the oilsands sacrifice zone. Also free healthcare. Free funerals courtesy of Suncor.
Oilsands companies or government can truck bottled water into communities. Since they can no longer drink their own.
Hunting and trapping are going or gone. Wildlife contaminated. Fish deformed with lesions and tumours. But that's progress.
With all the new cash in their pockets, indigenous people can upgrade to oak coffins. Maybe even buy an independent health study.
On the bright side, chemotherapy, funerals, and obituaries all boost GDP.
What will be left for First Nations — and the rest of us — when the oilsands and LNG industries collapse? No jobs, a contaminated landscape bereft of wildlife, and chronic illness.
By committing to this sunset industry, are they investing in their children's future — or selling them out?
Key articles on co-opting impoverished indigenous communities into supporting O&G "development":
"How a conservative US network undermined Indigenous energy rights in Canada" (The Guardian, 2022)
"How Canada Uses 'Redwashing' To Crack Down On Indigenous Pipeline Protesters (Drilled, 2023)
Although Phillips' incoherence re the climate abyss (so let's build more pipelines) would make it easy to dismiss this change of position, don't forget that his wife is now a BC NDP MLA. So this could easily be a trial balloon for Eby & Co. who have lots of reasons to stimulate division and discord among FNs and their allies.
To build this pipeline is such an idiotic idea I hardly know where to begin. First, and foremost, the Northern Gateway pipeline is nearly 1800 km long and will take 7-9 years to build if all goes well. As with other mega-projects of this nature there will be huge cost overruns and guess who will pay (the Canadian taxpayer). Trump will be gone in 4 years so deciding to build a pipeline to diversify Alberta's oil exports 7 or 8 years from now makes no sense. By then, and likely much sooner, the war in Ukraine will be over and sanctions on Russian oil will be lifted. Russia can provide oil to India and southeast Asia more cheaply than Alberta can. Peak oil consumption in China has likely peaked and demand will start to fall, rendering Alberta oil non-competitive with other oil producing nations. Finally, 2024 was the hottest year on record and climate change is only going to get worse - very quickly. More frequent and much more severe fires, floods, droughts and hurricanes will occur across Canada and people will finally wake up and force their politicians to take meaningful action. Mother nature always wins.