FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES/VANCOUVER – British Columbians learned today that the federal government is working with the Premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan on plans for a northern pipeline to B.C.’s coastline.

These backroom conversations have been carried on without the participation of coastal First Nations, the B.C. government or local elected representatives.

“It is unacceptable for Saskatchewan and Alberta to be secretly working to undermine B.C.’s economic prosperity. People in B.C. chose to protect the north coast, and we are reaping the economic benefit of that decision,” said Sierra Club BC Associate Director and Campaigns Director Shelley Luce.

A new report published by Coastal First Nations today shows that the conservation economy protected by the Tanker Ban provides $1.77 billion in economic output for British Columbia. These are good-paying, sustainable jobs that support families and entire communities.

Sierra Club BC is prepared to keep fighting to protect our coast from the devastating impacts of a northern pipeline. Already, over 3,000 people have reached out to their Liberal MPs in B.C. to request that they stand up for our coast.

This week, several Liberal MPs from British Columbia have also indicated that a northern pipeline would require the consent of First Nations and the B.C. government.

“In a time of economic uncertainty, people are counting on the federal government to protect jobs and local economies. We never thought they’d be cutting deals with politicians hundreds of kilometres away to undermine us. The federal government needs to get back on track and align with Coastal First Nations and British Columbia’s elected representatives before they lose all credibility in this province,” said Luce.

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