While politicians argue, First Nations are growing B.C.’s economy by protecting the environment – The Narwhal

Jan. 28, 2026

Job creation, tax revenue, small business support: why don’t politicians value the economic benefits of environmental protection?

The latest power struggle over the future of the Canadian economy — a hypothetical new pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast — has devolved into a rote debate: are First Nations blocking economic progress?

Coastal First Nations — an alliance of nine First Nations along the north coast of B.C. — have reiterated their strong support for the oil tanker ban the federal government put in place in 2019. It prohibits tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of oil from travelling through their waters but is threatened by the pipeline proposed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and endorsed nominally by Prime Minister Mark Carney. B.C. Premier David Eby has pointed out the project has “no proponent, no route, no money.”

Read More: https://thenarwhal.ca/environment-economy-north-coast-bc/