British ColumbiaThe mayor of Kitimat, B.C., and elected chief of the Haisla First Nation say they reminded Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of the longstanding opposition to an oil pipeline in the region.Kitimat mayor and Haisla chief say they reminded Danielle Smith of longstanding oil pipeline oppositionAndrew Kurjata · CBC News · Posted: Nov 26, 2025 6:03 PM EST | Last Updated: November 27Listen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The Maran Gas Roxana LNG carrier navigates its way through the Douglas Channel to Kitimat, B.C., on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. While the liquefied natural gas industry has managed to build pipelines to get its product to markets through the B.C. North Coast, opposition to oil bitumen pipelines in the region remains strong. (LNG Canada)The leaders of two key communities on B.C.’s North Coast met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith this week to discuss economic opportunities and remind her of their longstanding opposition to an oil pipeline running through the region.”Over a decade ago the community of Kitimat voted to oppose the Northern Gateway project,” a joint statement from Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth and elected Haisla Chief Maureen Nyce said.The leaders referred to a non-binding 2014 plebiscite held against the backdrop of the now-scrapped energy project which would have shipped bitumen from Alberta to Kitimat.”The Haisla Nation, who were firmly against that proposal at that time, still maintain that same position today regarding an oil pipeline and export facility in their territory. This position was articulated clearly to Premier Smith during the meeting,” the statement read.Smith’s meeting with the two leaders came two days ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s expected announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alberta, which includes federal support for a pipeline through northern B.C.Germuth and Nyce also said the meeting focused on areas where they align with Smith, including the development of a liquefied natural gas industry in the area. WATCH | The factors behind LNG Canada’s expansion:Why Canada’s LNG export expansion is far from a sure thingExpanding Canada’s only liquified natural gas terminal is at the top of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s list of projects his government would help fast track, but as CBC’s Lyndsay Duncombe explains, several key factors stand in the way. Projects like LNG Canada, which ships natural gas to the region via pipeline, has managed to win support from the Haisla, and faced less opposition than proposals for oil pipelines along the same route.In part, this is because natural gas evaporates, lessening concerns about the impact on the environment in the event of a spill.WATCH | Carney’s MOU with Alberta and potential opposition:Are B.C. Liberal MPs worried about Carney’s MOU with Alberta? | Power & PoliticsThe Power Panel discusses the politics at play around the memorandum of understanding between Ottawa and the Alberta government that could clear a path for an oil pipeline to the B.C. coast expected to be announced on Thursday.Coastal First Nations say opposition remains firmThe letter is a reminder of the heated opposition to an oil pipeline to the B.C. coast, which came to a head in the 2010s through protests and court cases that ultimately led to Northern Gateway — and the idea of any oil pipeline in the region — being treated as a non-starter by many politicians and industrial leaders over the past decade.But Alberta has consistently pushed for such a project.With a renewed emphasis on developing Canadian resources due to the economic threats coming from the United States, public support for a new pipeline has become more favourable. A map shows the route of the now-defunct Northern Gateway pipeline, from just north of Edmonton to B.C.’s North Coast. (Enbridge/The Canadian Press)Opposition has not waned, however, among key groups, including Coastal First Nations.An organization representing the Gitga’at, Gitxaała, Haida, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Metlakatla, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv First Nations slammed any talk of reviving an oil pipeline on Wednesday.Heiltsuk Nation Chief Marilyn Slett has consistently opposed any oil pipelines through the North Coast, and asked that a federal tanker ban remain in place with no exemptions. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)”We are here to remind the Alberta government, the federal government, and any potential private proponent that we will never allow oil tankers on our coast, and that this pipeline project will never happen,” Heiltsuk First Nation Chief Marilyn Slett said in a statement.”While the details of this MOU remain to be seen, under no circumstances can it override our inherent and constitutional rights and title, or deter our deep interconnection of mutual respect for the ocean.”Kitimat mayor focuses on other opportunitiesB.C. Premier David Eby has also consistently stated his opposition to such a project, arguing it would undermine existing economic projects already being developed alongside First Nations, including those on the North Coast.B.C. Premier David Eby says he “almost fell out of his seat” when he learned Sask. Premier Scott Moe is involved in talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on a proposed oil pipeline to B.C.’s North Coast. (Katie DeRosa/CBC)In an interview with BC Today host Michelle Eliot, Germuth said those were the sorts of projects he and Nyce focused on during their meeting with Premier Smith, adding that the meeting had been planned far in advance of any talk of a revived oil pipeline.”Really, the meeting was about introducing Premier Smith to Kitimat,” he said, saying the focus was on its position as a port community. “We talked about natural gas, we talked about ammonium, we talked about food products … it was more of a meeting just to get to know each other.”WATCH | Kitimat mayor speaks about LNG Canada:Canada’s first LNG plant expected to start up soon in Kitimat, B.C.Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth about the new LNG plant expected to start producing soon and the region’s industrial history.Germuth also said he would have limited power to stop a pipeline if the federal government pushed for one, and he’d be willing to look at a new proposal.”If the project was done the same was as Northern Gateway, chances are it’d be a ‘No,'” he said.Nyce said she was “disappointed” by the mayor being less than firm in his opposition, and that she might have backed out of the meeting had she known his views in advance.But she also defined the conversation with Smith as productive overall.”She was interested in what we were interested in,” she said.With files from BC Today and Radio West
Two key North Coast B.C. leaders meet with Alberta premier ahead of federal pipeline MOU
