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First Nations chiefs call out Ottawa over pipeline deal that doesn’t mention water
First Nations criticize the federal-Alberta pipeline deal for omitting fresh water protections amid concerns over oilsands tailings ponds covering more land than neighboring communities by 2070.
- On Jan. 21, 2026, the federal government and Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding opening the door to a pipeline to the B.C. coast, but it omits fresh water protections.
- In 2021, the federal government launched the Crown-Indigenous Working Group to explore tailings management with First Nations and Métis, while a prior bill with source water protection failed due to Alberta and Ontario objections.
- Keepers of the Water reported a tailings leak that went unreported for nine months in 2022, highlighting water risks amid growing tailings ponds, Cardinal said.
- The Privy Council Office did not directly say why water was left out of the agreement, but officials said the major projects office will work with Indigenous communities under UNDRIP commitments.
- Trevor Mercredi expressed skepticism that government and industry will prioritize water protections, warning `I don't know if they'll ever deal with it`, amid concerns over tailings ponds and water safety in pipeline negotiations.
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Winnipeg Free Press+19 Reposted by 19 other sources
First Nations chiefs call out Ottawa over pipeline deal that doesn't mention water
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
·Winnipeg, Canada
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Pipeline agreement fails to mention fresh water, First Nations chiefs argue
Ottawa – A recent pipeline agreement between the federal and Alberta governments failed to mention anything about fresh water, some First Nations chiefs argue. The agreement allows for the construction of a pipeline to move bitumen from Alberta to the British Columbia coast, but there is no mention about how fresh water sources may be threatened by tailings ponds. When asked why water was not part of the agreement with Alberta, the Privy Council…
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Total News Sources33
Leaning Left16Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution76% Left
Bias Distribution
- 76% of the sources lean Left
76% Left
L 76%
C 24%
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