US EditionOttawa’s Indigenous Advisers Weren’t Told of Pipeline Deal with Alberta: Chief
Treaty 8 chiefs demand a halt to a pipeline MOU signed without consultation, threatening legal action and citing zero involvement in decisions impacting their sovereignty, officials said.
- Dec. 11, 2025: Major Projects Office Indigenous advisory council said Trevor Mercredi called the federal-Alberta pipeline MOU signed last month `news` and said advisers were not consulted.
- The MOU sets out conditions for a new bitumen pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast, including language allowing Ottawa to adjust B.C.'s tanker ban.
- Chiefs from Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta demanded a pause on the pipeline MOU and threatened legal action, saying it proceeded with `zero consultation, zero notice and zero involvement of the First Nations of Treaty 8.`
- The Assembly of First Nations called for withdrawal of the pipeline agreement, and Prime Minister Mark Carney said Indigenous cooperation is needed, planning a joint first ministers' meeting early in the new year.
- Treaty 8 leaders warned they may withdraw cooperation and use `treaty, constitutional, political and legal mechanisms` to defend sovereignty, stressing proper consultation would have included them at the table.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Alberta Treaty 8 chiefs demand pause on pipeline agreement, threaten legal action
Treaty 8 First Nations chiefs spoke in Ottawa Thursday, calling for a pause on the pipeline memorandum of understanding until they are consulted and sign off on the potential project. They're threatening legal action if that doesn't happen.
Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa's Indigenous advisers weren't told of pipeline deal with Alberta: chief
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Treaty 8 open to development but warns pipeline talks cannot proceed without consultation
FORT MCMURRAY — Treaty 8 leaders say they remain open to major energy projects in northern Alberta, including a potential new pipeline to the British Columbia coast, but insist the Alberta and federal governments cannot move ahead without full and early consultation from the First Nations whose territories would be directly affected. Their concerns follow the release of a memorandum of understanding signed in November by Prime Minister Mark Carn…
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