PRINCE RUPERT: Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to hold a high-stakes meeting today with representatives of the Coastal First Nations (CFN) in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, including Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson. The meeting aims to address critical issues regarding major infrastructure projects and marine conservation within the B.C. coastal region and the Great Bear Rainforest, where the CFN represents nine First Nations focused on resource management and environmental stewardship.
The relationship between the federal government and the CFN faced a significant crisis in 2025, following the government’s decision to sign a pipeline agreement with Alberta without prior consultation with the First Nations. This breach of trust was further exacerbated by controversial remarks from Minister Tim Hodgson, who suggested that a meeting with Indigenous leaders could have been handled via a simple Zoom call. The dismissive comment sparked widespread outrage and forced the Minister to issue a formal apology, setting a tense backdrop for today’s face-to-face negotiations.
Despite the government’s efforts to move forward with economic projects, the Coastal First Nations remain firm in their opposition to increased oil traffic. CFN President Marilyn Slett has publicly stated that there is no support among member nations for pipeline construction or the removal of existing oil tanker restrictions. As the Prime Minister seeks to find common ground, today’s discussion is viewed as a decisive moment for the future of Indigenous-led conservation and federal resource policy in British Columbia.
