SENT VIA EMAIL
September 18, 2025
The Honourable David Eby
Premier of British Columbia
Office of the Premier
PO BOX 9041 STN Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
AND
The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Re: Oil Tanker Moratorium Act
Lax Kw’alaams First Nation is one of the largest Indigenous Nations in British Columbia. We hold Aboriginal rights and title throughout our territory on the north coast in a trade and export region critical to the Canadian economy. We have an indisputable and extensive history of economic and trade leadership. We continue to fiercely defend our traditional and ancestral marine and terrestrial territory to maintain our strength and preserve our territory for present and future Lax Kw’alaams generations.
We are deeply concerned about recent statements in the media from Prime Minister Carney, British Columbia Premier Eby, and other provincial leaders about a potential oil pipeline project and export through the north coast, contrary to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.1 A pipeline project on the north coast would cause a significant increase in oil exports, which would require that the Act be repealed.
Canada’s constitutional framework requires the Crown to act honourably with Lax Kw’alaams, especially where our Aboriginal rights and title may be adversely impacted. Any repeal or amendment to the Act, and/or increased oil export through Lax Kw’alaams traditional marine or terrestrial territory via any other means, would undoubtably trigger the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Lax Kw’alaams at the highest end of the spectrum.
In my recent meetings and discussions with Privy Council Office Deputy Clerk Chris Fox, Natural Resources Canada Deputy Minister Michael Vandergrift, and Transport Canada Deputy Minister Arun Thangaraj, I communicated that we are opposed to oil export through Lax Kw’alaams territory. To reiterate on behalf of Lax Kw’alaams leadership, community, and members, we are opposed to any repeal or amendment of the Act, and any oil export through our marine and terrestrial territory. We are also deeply concerned that any potential oil pipeline or export project on the north coast of British Columbia would implicate Canada’s international law obligations, including under the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (and all domestic legislation incorporating that Declaration) and under customary international law.
We are committed to upholding our inherent rights of self-government and self-determination. Our Ayaawx (Tsimshian law) requires that we fight for the health of our marine and terrestrial territory. We know that the future and health of our Nation is entirely dependent on the health of our territory. Given the real and serious threat posed by an oil spill, our Ayaawx would prevent us from consenting to any potential north coast pipeline project. Our Ayaawx would similarly require us to oppose any potential changes to or exemptions under the Act.
Lax Kw’alaams will continue to defend our Aboriginal rights and title interests on the north coast to ensure the health of our territory for present and future Lax Kw’alaams generations. The Act has been critical in protecting and preserving our already limited food fishery, our natural resources, and our rights throughout our marine and terrestrial territory. We urge Canada and British Columbia to continue to uphold the tanker ban as mandated by the Act.
Respectfully,
Mayor Garry Reece
Lax Kw’alaams First Nation (Band)
Cc: Hon. Tamara Davidson – Minister of Environment and Parks
Hon. Adrian Dix – Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions
Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert – Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Hon. Julie Dabrusin – Minister of Environmental and Climate Change Canada
Hon. Tim Hodgson – Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada
Hon. Chrystia Freeland – Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Canada
Hon. Rebecca Alty – Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada
1 S.C. 2019 c. 26 (“the Act”).
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