Canada’s First Nations have emerged as leaders, not just partners, in driving the next generation of sustainable natural resources development across the country. The process of economic reconciliation has been long and is by no means complete.
Even now, the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is looking to implement Bill C-5, which will fast-track projects of national interest. In the past, efforts to fast-track projects have bypassed Indigenous rights and led to mistrust and disappointment for Indigenous communities and project proponents alike.
This time has the potential to be different if First Nations can continue to lead the development of projects in our lands. Leadership means having a meaningful seat at the table, which includes the right to share in benefits and the right to ensure our traditional knowledge and practices are integrated into project design and development at the front end.
Since 2019, the First Nations Climate Initiative has been advocating for this approach to project leadership, not merely as a theoretical construct but as a real-world, ongoing approach that is already bearing fruit in terms of investment and a smoother path to project assessment and approval.
The Nations we represent—Haisla, Metlakatla, Nisga’a, and Halfway River (and many collaborating Nations)—are demonstrating that our resources in the northern and coastal regions of British Columbia can be developed responsibly, equitably, and efficiently. This statement may be bold to some who believe natural resources projects can be developed efficiently or responsibly, and equitably, but not both. Indeed, we have too often seen these goals in conflict in natural resources projects and policy, not just in Canada but all over the world.
Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Crystal Smith during a press conference announcing that the Cedar LNG project has been given environmental approval in Vancouver, Tuesday March 14, 2023. Rich Lam/The Canadian Press.
Responsible resource development means projects that make a positive contribution to the global challenge of climate change. Climate change is a global threat with highly localized effects that we feel in our waters, fisheries, forests, and biodiversity at home.
Based on years of research and collaboration with subject matter experts from all sides of this debate, we are firmly of the view that clean electricity development in British Columbia and the development of natural gas and clean fuel supply chains to support trading partners in Asia is the path forward.
Our natural gas projects must have best-in-class abatement of fugitive methane emissions across the value chain and be used to displace coal, fuel oil, and higher methane-intensity sources of gas in Asia. This includes liquefied natural gas in the short to medium term and the development of decarbonized fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol over time. These fuels, whether developed through carbon capture and storage or emerging technologies like methane pyrolysis, can provide solutions for greenhouse gas (GHG)-intensive sectors such as shipping, petrochemical production, and steel production.
What emissions cannot be captured, we will offset through innovative, nature-based carbon offsets in our forestry and other ecosystem management practices. Across FNCI partner Nations, more than 8 million hectares of land have been identified as high potential for carbon sequestration, with active projects already underway, including through Halfway River First Nation and Nisga’a Nation. These projects create real climate benefits while protecting and restoring valuable ecosystem services for all communities.
Equitable resource development means that our Nations should share in the benefits of economic development, not just through jobs and procurement, but through meaningful ownership stakes that give us a leadership voice in project development and align our interests with non-First Nation project proponents. We are proud that these principles are being put to practice in the real partnerships the Haisla and Nisga’a have in the Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims Projects, respectively.
Responsibility and equity can lead to faster and more efficient regulatory processes. Equity creates expectations for alignment and provides a platform for leveraging shared interests. Responsible environmental practices can include environmental NGOs and the deployment of the best technologies and policies to address climate change and protect water, air, and biodiversity. A shared commitment to these actions reduces the scope for conflict and legal battles as all parties seek the same outcome: economic development and reversing cumulative effects on the environment.
Policy stability is a critical element of natural resource development for projects that take years to build, decades to pay out, and can create benefits that last across generations. Stability is difficult when the global markets and geopolitical landscape are in upheaval, but our Nations are accustomed to a longer view.
Energy security and trade tensions may be dominating the current moment, but climate concerns have not gone away. Similarly, when security and trade tensions ease, we should maintain efforts to support our allies and our own national economic sovereignty and security as Canadians.
The FNCI Nations support the call for national interest projects and believe our model of development can deliver responsible, equitable, and efficient outcomes. We welcome the opportunity to continue to put these principles into practice with our partners at home and abroad.
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