McMurray Metis letter, social media image
FORT MCMURRAY — Six Métis organizations in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo are demanding an immediate response from the federal and Alberta governments, saying they were excluded from consultation surrounding the proposed Pacific Link Pipeline.
The joint statement was issued by Chard Métis Nation, Conklin Métis Local 193, Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, Fort McKay Métis Nation, McMurray Métis and Willow Lake Métis Nation.
The leaders say Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government held embargoed meetings ahead of an announcement designating the Pacific Link Pipeline as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act, but did not include any Métis Nation from the region.
They also say no leader from the six organizations was invited to the announcement involving Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
The statement says the federal government has promoted extensive consultation surrounding the project, but the six Métis organizations say none can confirm receiving formal consultation or meaningful commitments from either level of government.
The leaders argue the exclusion follows what they describe as a longstanding failure by governments to meaningfully consult Aboriginal rights holders on major pipeline projects.
They warn inadequate consultation has previously contributed to legal challenges, costly delays and the cancellation of major projects.
The groups also raised concerns about Carney’s stated goal of breaking ground on the pipeline by Sept. 1, 2027, arguing the accelerated timeline risks repeating previous consultation failures.
The statement says expanded oilsands production associated with the project could also increase industrial impacts on Métis communities, including higher emissions, further pressure on caribou and other species at risk, reduced water quality and quantity, and restricted access to traditional and culturally important areas.
The six Métis organizations say their leaders are now meeting to consider what they describe as immediate and necessary action to protect their members and Aboriginal rights.
They are calling for an immediate and direct response from both governments.
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