March 15, 2022
First Nations Leadership Via email only

Open Letter: Investment in the TMX Poses Significant Financial Risks for First Nations

Dear First Nations Leadership:

Recent announcements that the new cost of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) has ballooned to $21.4 billion, and that the federal government will not invest further public funds into the project should be a major red flag for anyone considering economic participation or ownership of the controversial pipeline, which is also delayed by at least one year.

News Release
September 17, 2019

UBCIC Congratulates Squamish Nation on BC Court of Appeal Decision to Send TMX back for Environmental Approval

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – September 17, 2019) Today, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) celebrates the significant blow that has been dealt to the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX). The BC Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the Squamish Nation, determining that the Provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate issued for the TMX was premised on the fundamentally flawed National Energy Board Report, thereby necessitating the Province to reconsider the environmental conditions and approval issued for the TMX.

News Release
June 18, 2019

Canada Approves TMX Despite Failing to Achieve Consent: Declaration of Climate Emergency Rings Hollow

(Traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)- June 18, 2019) - In spite of today’s federal cabinet approval of the controversial project, Indigenous leaders from across BC remain staunchly opposed to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) and have vowed that it will never get built.  The federal government was forced to redo consultation with First Nations after a unanimous Federal Court of Appeal quashed a 2016 approval “falling well below the mark” on meaningful consultation set by the Supreme Court of Canada.

MEDIA ADVISORY OF PRESS CONFERENCE: Indigenous leadership in BC will respond to Canada’s decision on TMX, joined by Mayor Kennedy Stewart

WHAT:Canada will announce their decision today regarding the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project.  Indigenous leadership in BC opposed to the pipeline expansion will hold a press conference to respond. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Indigenous leaders, community groups, students rally against Trans Mountain pipeline ahead of cabinet decision

9 June 2019, Unceded Coast Salish Territory, (VANCOUVER, BC) — With little over a week left until the federal government makes its decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project, Indigenous leaders and [add estimate number] supporters gathered in Vancouver to send a message to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. Despite opposition from First Nations along the pipeline and tanker route, as well as the absurdity of building new fossil fuel infrastructure in a climate crisis, the federal government is expected to once again approve the pipeline.

WHEN: Tuesday October 23, 10:00 am PT, 1:00 pm ET

WHERE: Main Lobby, 312 Main St, Vancouver, BC (entrance on Cordova St)

WHO:  

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC)

Kennedy Stewart, Mayor-Elect of Vancouver

Eugene Kung, Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law

Federal Members of Parliament TBA by phone

Tzeporah Berman, Program Director, Stand.Earth (Moderator)

RE: The National Energy Board’s One Week Consultation Period for First Nations Affected by the Trans Mountain Pipeline and Tanker Project

Dear Ms. Sheri Young:

We are responding to a letter dated September 26th, 2018 regarding the re-assessment of the Trans Mountain Pipeline and Tanker Project, in which the National Energy Board requested feedback from First Nations affected by the pipeline route regarding the updated process. As stated, the letter is dated September 26th, but presents a deadline to Indigenous communities to register to participate in hearings and to provide submissions by October 3rd – a period of only one week.

"Mr. Trudeau, enough is enough,” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip 

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – September 21, 2018) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to accept the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and tanker project’s defeat in the Federal Court of Appeal, and to cancel the recent directive to the National Energy Board (NEB) to re-perform its environmental assessment of the ill-conceived and ill-fated project.

News Release

 September 17, 2018

UBCIC CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION OF TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE AND TANKER PROJECT

"Verdict clear, Trudeau should cancel Trans Mountain,”—Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – September 17, 2018) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to accept the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project’s defeat in the Federal Court of Appeal, and to cancel the disastrous Canada-owned project altogether.

News Release
30 August 2018

UBCIC Celebrates Landmark Court Win that Signals the End of Trans Mountain Pipeline and Tanker Project bbb

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – 30 August 2018) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is celebrating the Federal Court of Appeal verdict on the Trans Mountain approval and calls on Prime Minister Trudeau to immediately stop construction and shut the project down.