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Canada's Pacific Link pipeline fight

Ottawa's first use of its fast-track major-projects law, for an oil pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast, the First Nations court challenge and consultation dispute that followed, and the new bill that would widen the law.

OngoingLatest development: Nov 5, 2026Checked for news Nov 7, 2026

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In 30 seconds

Swipe through. The full record, with every source, is below.

1/5 · What's happening
- In June 2025 Parliament passed Bill C-5, whose Building Canada Act lets the federal cabinet designate projects as being in the national interest and fast-track their approval.
2/5 · Latest
- Reported Nov 5 CBC News reports that the 2026 federal budget released on November 5, 2026 lists the proposed Pacific Link pipeline among a series of “nation‑building” projects based in British Columbia overseen by the Major Projects Office.
3/5 · What's confirmed
- Confirmed Nov 2 Nine B.C. First Nations announce Federal Court applications to quash the Pacific Link national-interest designation, saying Ottawa did not adequately consult them.
- Confirmed Oct 24 British Columbia's Conservative Party wins a majority government in the snap election Premier David Eby called for October 24, in which the pipeline was a campaign issue, CTV News declares; CBC News and The Canadian Press separately report the Conservative majority win.
4/5 · What's disputed
Do First Nations support the pipeline?
- One accountFort McKay First Nation's chief says he welcomes an equity stake; a lawyer for several affected nations says many are not opposed to a pipeline but want proper consultation.
- Other accountThe Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Coastal First Nations and several nations along the route oppose the project or the designation; the AFN B.C. regional chief says it divides nations.
5/5 · What's next
- Nov 15 Whether binding Pathways carbon-storage agreements are signed by the November 15 target, the federal response to the First Nations court challenges, and the stance of the incoming B.C. Conservative…

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How sure are we?

Confirmed2+ outlets
Reported1 outlet
Disputedsides disagree
Allegedone side's claim
Checkingbeing checked

Live updates

Newest first. Updated as news breaks.

Nov 5, 2026ReportedAdded Nov 7, 2026

CBC News reports that the 2026 federal budget released on November 5, 2026 lists the proposed Pacific Link…

Where things stand

In June 2025 Parliament passed Bill C-5, whose Building Canada Act lets the federal cabinet designate projects as being in the national interest and fast-track their approval. In November 2025 Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an agreement backing a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast. Alberta applied in July 2026 for a route from Bruderheim, near Edmonton, to the southwest B.C. coast near Delta, largely following the Trans Mountain corridor, and Ottawa agreed with B.C. to keep the north coast oil tanker ban.

On October 1, 2026, Ottawa designated the pipeline, now called Pacific Link, as the first project of national interest. The government says it would carry an extra one million barrels of crude a day, be owned equally by Canada and Alberta with Pembina Pipeline as a private partner, and offer Indigenous communities at least a 10% stake. The Major Projects Office aims to have the conditions for construction in place by September 2027. On October 7 Cold Lake First Nations asked the Federal Court to quash the designation, saying it was not consulted; on November 2 nine B.C. First Nations announced they had filed their own applications.

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the BC Assembly of First Nations and several nations along the route say consultation was rushed and that the designation overrides their rights; at least one oilsands-region chief says he welcomes the equity stake. The federal government says it consulted more than 130 communities and that the duty to consult is unchanged. A second bill, C-39, which would extend fast-track powers, passed second reading on October 8 and is before a House committee. The B.C. Conservatives won the October 24 provincial election, and First Nations leaders met the prime minister and most premiers in Ottawa on October 26. Washington state officials and tribes have separately raised concerns about the pipeline's planned tanker traffic through the Salish Sea.

At a glance

From a new law to a court challenge

Filled marker: the latest major development. Hover or tap a marker for the event.

Review stages under Bill C-39, in days

Source: Torys LLP's analysis of the bill as tabled. Pipeline: Canada Energy Regulator certification. IAAC report: the Impact Assessment Agency's report stage. Extensions and suspensions remain possible.

Bill C-39 second reading vote, October 8

Source: The Deep Dive. Liberals and Conservatives voted for; the Bloc Québécois, NDP and Greens against; 10 members were paired.

Where it happened

Positions are approximate, plotted by latitude and longitude. This is not a map of borders.

Timeline

Show 15 earlier events

June 2025 to June 2026

The major-projects law and the Ottawa–Alberta deal

Jun 26
Confirmed
Bill C-5 receives royal assent after the Senate passes it unamended. Its Building Canada Act lets cabinet fast-track projects it designates as in the national interest; some senators opposed it over Indigenous rights.
Sources: CBC News · Government of Canada
Confirmed by independent reports from CBC News and Government of Canada. How we label
Jul 15
Confirmed
Nine Ontario First Nations ask the Ontario Superior Court to declare Bill C-5 and Ontario's Bill 5 unconstitutional and seek an injunction against parts of both laws.
Sources: CTV News (The Canadian Press) · NetNewsLedger
Confirmed by independent reports from The Canadian Press and NetNewsLedger. How we label
Nov 27
Confirmed
Carney and Smith sign a memorandum of understanding in Calgary backing a pipeline of at least one million barrels a day to B.C.'s northwest coast, with Indigenous co-ownership. Ottawa commits to adjusting the north coast tanker ban if needed.
Sources: The Tyee · Global News
Confirmed by independent reports from The Tyee and Global News. How we label
Nov 27
Confirmed
B.C. Premier David Eby says the project has "no proponent, no route, no money, no First Nations support". Coastal First Nations say the tanker ban is not negotiable, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs rejects the agreement.
Sources: The Tyee · Global News
Confirmed by independent reports from The Tyee and Global News. How we label

July to September 2026

Alberta's application, the B.C. deal and consultation

Jul 2
Confirmed
Alberta submits its pipeline application to the federal Major Projects Office, proposing a route from Bruderheim to B.C.'s southwest coast that largely follows the Trans Mountain corridor, with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline as partners. Alberta estimates the cost at $35.2 billion to $43.7 billion.
Sources: Victoria News (Red Deer Advocate) · MLT Aikins (legal analysis)
Confirmed by independent reports from Victoria News and MLT Aikins. How we label
Jul 2
Confirmed
Ottawa and B.C. sign an agreement that keeps the north coast tanker ban and includes federal infrastructure funding. B.C. says it is not required to support any pipeline, and Eby says the province will not go to court against it.
Sources: Global News · B.C. government · Victoria News (Red Deer Advocate)
Confirmed by independent reports from Global News, B.C. government and Victoria News. How we label
Jul 3
Reported
Tsawwassen First Nation, near the proposed terminal, says it has not been consulted and has not taken a position on the southern route.
Sources: Tsawwassen First Nation (statement)
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Sep 18
Confirmed
The Major Projects Office's engagement with Indigenous peoples on the proposed designation closes, after the deadline was extended from August 28. A federal summary says groups reported lacking information on routing, marine shipping and impacts on their rights.
Sources: Global News (The Canadian Press) · MLT Aikins (legal analysis)
Confirmed by independent reports from The Canadian Press and MLT Aikins. How we label
Sep 21
Confirmed
The government tables Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which would set one-year federal review timelines and let cabinet designate "regions of national interest" with fast-track treatment.
Sources: Advisor.ca (The Canadian Press) · Torys LLP (legal analysis)
Confirmed by independent reports from The Canadian Press and Torys LLP. How we label

October 1 to 7

Designation and the first court challenge

Oct 1
Confirmed
In Fort McMurray, Carney and Smith announce that the pipeline, renamed Pacific Link, is the first project designated in the national interest under the Building Canada Act. The government says it would carry an extra one million barrels a day, mainly to Asian markets.
Sources: Prime Minister's Office · CTV News (CP24) · APTN News · EnergyNow
Confirmed by independent reports from Prime Minister's Office, CTV News, APTN News and EnergyNow. How we label
Oct 1
Confirmed
The government says Canada and Alberta will own the project equally, with Trans Mountain Corporation leading and Pembina Pipeline as a private investor, and that Indigenous communities will be offered at least 10% through loan guarantees. The Major Projects Office aims to finalise conditions by September 1, 2027.
Sources: Prime Minister's Office · APTN News · EnergyNow
Confirmed by independent reports from Prime Minister's Office, APTN News and EnergyNow. How we label
Oct 1
Confirmed
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs rejects the designation, saying consultation was incomplete. Semá:th First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Heiltsuk Nation leaders also criticise the project or the process; Coldwater says it is considering legal action.
Sources: APTN News · Union of BC Indian Chiefs (statement)
Confirmed by independent reports from APTN News and Union of BC Indian Chiefs. How we label
Oct 1
Reported
Fort McKay First Nation's chief says he is excited about becoming an equity stakeholder, while raising environmental concerns. The Assembly of First Nations says it sees "many red flags" in the designation, The Canadian Press reports.
Sources: Global News (The Canadian Press)
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 1
Reported
A lawyer for several affected First Nations tells CTV News many of them are not opposed to a pipeline but are concerned about consultation, and that a 10% stake is too low. Business groups welcome the designation; NDP Leader Avi Lewis and Environmental Defence oppose it.
Sources: CTV News (CP24)
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 7
Confirmed
Cold Lake First Nations, in Alberta's oilsands region, files for judicial review in the Federal Court, saying the Major Projects Office did not consult it. It asks the court to quash the designation.
Sources: Global News (The Canadian Press) · Cold Lake First Nations (statement) · MLT Aikins (legal analysis)
Confirmed by independent reports from The Canadian Press, Cold Lake First Nations and MLT Aikins. How we label

From October 8

Bill C-39, chiefs confront the office, next meetings

Oct 8
Confirmed
Bill C-39 passes second reading in the House of Commons, 296 to 26, with Liberal and Conservative support, and goes to a special committee.
Sources: APTN News · The Deep Dive
Confirmed by independent reports from APTN News and The Deep Dive. How we label
Oct 8
Confirmed
The Chiefs of Ontario, the BC Assembly of First Nations, the AFN Quebec-Labrador and Nishnawbe Aski Nation reject Bill C-39 in a joint statement, saying it would override treaty and constitutional rights.
Sources: APTN News · The Narwhal
Confirmed by independent reports from APTN News and The Narwhal. How we label
Oct 13
Reported
Leaders of six Métis nations around Fort McMurray say they were not consulted before Ottawa designated the pipeline and call Carney's reconciliation commitment "a hollow promise", Yahoo News Canada reports. They say they do not oppose the pipeline itself but fear the oilsands expansion it would require; Willow Lake Métis Nation president Stella Lavallee says of the offered 10% Indigenous equity stake, "Zero per cent of 10 per cent is zero per cent."
Sources: Yahoo News Canada
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 14
Confirmed
Major Projects Office CEO Dawn Farrell faces chiefs at the BC Assembly of First Nations meeting in Vancouver. Chiefs say they had 11 working days to review the designation; Farrell says the office wants to do better.
Sources: Castanet (The Canadian Press) · APTN News
Confirmed by independent reports from The Canadian Press and APTN News. How we label
Oct 14
Reported
The BC Assembly of First Nations meeting passes a resolution calling on Carney to halt the Building Canada Act and to repeal Bill C-39 if it passes, The Canadian Press reports.
Sources: Castanet (The Canadian Press)
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 15
Reported
AFN B.C. Regional Chief Terry Teegee calls Pacific Link "a pipeline to more litigation" and says it has divided First Nations that would benefit from those that would not, APTN reports.
Sources: APTN News
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 19
Reported
Ministers Dominic LeBlanc and Steven MacKinnon defend Bill C-39 at a House of Commons committee; LeBlanc says it does not lessen the duty to consult. The Narwhal reports the government aims to pass the bill by the end of 2026.
Sources: Yahoo News Canada (The Canadian Press) · The Narwhal
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 20
Reported
Washington state officials and tribes step up opposition to Pacific Link's planned tanker traffic through the Salish Sea: Gov. Bob Ferguson and state ecology director Casey Sixkiller say they are "disappointed" by the fast-tracking and want Canada to commit to stronger spill-response capacity; the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community's chairman calls the added shipping an "existential threat" to treaty fishing rights and salmon; the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians pass a resolution against the project; and San Juan County officials and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) raise vessel-traffic and spill-response concerns, Cascadia Daily and the Washington State Standard report.
Sources: Cascadia Daily News · Washington State Standard
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 23
Reported
Cold Lake First Nations Chief Kelsey Jacko says "a lot of conflict" has surrounded which Alberta chiefs will attend Monday's First Nations-First Ministers meeting, since Alberta has no AFN regional chief; three Cree Nations, Onion Lake, Tsuut'ina and Saddle Lake, issue cease-and-desist notices telling the Assembly of First Nations not to speak for them, APTN reports. Jacko says he is attending because "nobody is going to be speaking for me, for our rights or for our people," and that his nation remains in court with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Sources: APTN News
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 23
Reported
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says the agenda for Monday's meeting with Carney and the premiers is still being negotiated and calls the relationship with Ottawa "very fragile"; only the opening prayer and remarks will be livestreamed, APTN reports. Onion Lake Cree Nation plans a National Day of Action outside the Ottawa venue on Monday, and AFN has circulated a draft proposal for a First Nations-controlled sovereign wealth fund that Woodhouse Nepinak says carries "no commitment yet."
Sources: APTN News
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 24
Confirmed
British Columbia's Conservative Party wins a majority government in the snap election Premier David Eby called for October 24, in which the pipeline was a campaign issue, CTV News declares; CBC News and The Canadian Press separately report the Conservative majority win. Eby resigns as leader of the B.C. NDP, saying in his concession speech, "I accept full responsibility." Final seat totals were not yet available.
Sources: CTV News · CBC News · The Canadian Press
Confirmed by independent reports from CTV News, CBC News and The Canadian Press. How we label
Oct 24
Reported
The Canadian Press reports Monday's meeting would be the first gathering of its kind since the 2005 Kelowna meeting between First Nations and Ottawa. Jeff Copenace, of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, says he worries a focus on economic development will crowd out action on addictions, homelessness and suicide; longtime AFN critic Russ Diabo says he distrusts the Assembly and is organising a separate meeting and protest, saying he fears the outcome is predetermined.
Sources: The Canadian Press (via CP24)
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 26
Reported
Carney, most premiers and Assembly of First Nations leaders held their first such meeting since 2005; Carney said ministers will work with First Nations on moving beyond the Indian Act. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said it "can't just be about ramming through major projects as fast as we can," while young protesters outside said major projects need their "free, prior and informed consent," The Canadian Press reports.
Sources: CP24 (The Canadian Press) · Turtle Island News
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 30
Reported
Imperial Oil's chief executive said he is encouraged by progress toward a binding Pathways carbon-storage agreement with Ottawa and Alberta, a condition for the Pacific Link pipeline, though "there's still a lot of work left to do," BNN Bloomberg reports. A non-binding July memorandum set a Nov. 15 target for binding agreements; he described recent production problems as one-offs.
Sources: BNN Bloomberg
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Oct 30
Reported
Tsartlip First Nation, on Vancouver Island, files for judicial review in the Federal Court of the Pacific Link national-interest designation, saying federal consultation was rushed and ignored its treaty rights, CTV News reports. The report says Ottawa did not respond before publication; the designation came on October 1, less than two weeks after the nation set out its concerns.
Sources: CTV News (via BNN Bloomberg)
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Nov 2
Confirmed
Nine B.C. First Nations announce Federal Court applications to quash the Pacific Link national-interest designation, saying Ottawa did not adequately consult them. Ottawa says it consulted more than 110 Indigenous communities and will offer a minimum 10 per cent ownership stake, The Globe and Mail and the Vancouver Sun report; Cold Lake First Nation filed the first challenge in October.
Sources: vancouversun.com · theglobeandmail.com · cbc.ca
Confirmed by independent reports from vancouversun.com, theglobeandmail.com and cbc.ca. How we label
Nov 5
Reported
CBC News reports that the 2026 federal budget released on November 5, 2026 lists the proposed Pacific Link pipeline among a series of “nation‑building” projects based in British Columbia overseen by the Major Projects Office. The budget also earmarks spending for other B.C. initiatives, including a tunnel replacement, flood‑mitigation and forestry projects.
Sources: cbc.ca
Reported: not yet confirmed by a second independent source. How we label
Automated update, checked against its source; our editor's second review is pending.
Nov 15
Checking
Whether binding Pathways carbon-storage agreements are signed by the November 15 target, the federal response to the First Nations court challenges, and the stance of the incoming B.C. Conservative government on Pacific Link. Still being checked.
Sources: Assembly of First Nations (bulletin) · Peace Brigades International Canada · Castanet (The Canadian Press) · APTN News · APTN News
Checking: expected or unresolved. We will update this when the outcome is known. How we label

Disputed claims

Both sides, with sources.

Was consultation on the designation adequate?

Disputed

One account

The government says the Major Projects Office consulted more than 130 Indigenous communities over three months and held more than 140 meetings; the Privy Council Office says senior officials meet communities when asked.

Sources: Prime Minister's Office · Global News (The Canadian Press) · Castanet (The Canadian Press)

Other account

Cold Lake First Nations says it was not consulted at all; B.C. chiefs say they had 11 working days; the Union of BC Indian Chiefs calls the process incomplete; Tsawwassen First Nation said in July it had not been consulted.

Sources: MLT Aikins (legal analysis) · Castanet (The Canadian Press) · Union of BC Indian Chiefs (statement) · Tsawwassen First Nation (statement)

Status: The Federal Court has not ruled on Cold Lake First Nations' application.

Does the fast-track law weaken Indigenous rights?

Disputed

One account

Ministers say the duty to consult is unchanged and that "a more efficient process does not mean a less rigorous one"; Carney has said the agenda will not interfere with Canada's obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Sources: Yahoo News Canada (The Canadian Press) · Global News (The Canadian Press) · Torys LLP (legal analysis)

Other account

First Nations organisations say the Building Canada Act and Bill C-39 override treaty and constitutional rights and that one year is not enough for free, prior and informed consent.

Sources: APTN News · The Narwhal · Union of BC Indian Chiefs (statement)

Status: Bill C-39 is in committee. We have not found a ruling in the 2025 Ontario challenge to Bill C-5.

Do First Nations support the pipeline?

Disputed

One account

Fort McKay First Nation's chief says he welcomes an equity stake; a lawyer for several affected nations says many are not opposed to a pipeline but want proper consultation. The government offers at least a 10% Indigenous stake.

Sources: Global News (The Canadian Press) · CTV News (CP24) · Prime Minister's Office

Other account

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Coastal First Nations and several nations along the route oppose the project or the designation; the AFN B.C. regional chief says it divides nations.

Sources: APTN News · Union of BC Indian Chiefs (statement) · APTN News · Global News

Status: No count of supporting and opposing nations has been published.

Accountability log

Arrests, bans, investigations and court cases.

Date	Action	By	Label
Jun 26, 2025	Bill C-5, including the Building Canada Act, receives royal assent	Parliament	Confirmed
Jul 15, 2025	Application to strike down Bill C-5 and Ontario's Bill 5 filed in the Ontario Superior Court	Nine Ontario First Nations	Confirmed
Oct 1, 2026	Pacific Link designated a project of national interest (Order in Council 2026-0925, per MLT Aikins)	Federal cabinet	Confirmed
Oct 7, 2026	Judicial review application filed in the Federal Court to quash the designation	Cold Lake First Nations	Confirmed
Oct 8, 2026	Bill C-39 passes second reading, 296 to 26	House of Commons	Confirmed
Oct 14, 2026	Resolution calling for the Building Canada Act to be halted	BC Assembly of First Nations	Reported
Oct 19, 2026	Ministers testify on Bill C-39	House of Commons legislative committee	Reported

Places

BruderheimProposed start of the pipeline, near Edmonton

Fort McMurrayDesignation announced, Oct 1; Fort McKay First Nation is nearby

Cold LakeCold Lake First Nations, which filed the Federal Court challenge on Oct 7

CalgaryOttawa–Alberta pipeline agreement signed, Nov 27, 2025

MerrittColdwater Indian Band, whose reserve the existing Trans Mountain line crosses

VancouverBC Assembly of First Nations meeting with the Major Projects Office CEO, Oct 14

DeltaProposed end point and marine terminal; Tsawwassen First Nation

How this page is made

Our method, corrections and open questions

Only published reporting and publicly posted material. AI helps gather, check and organize it. Routine updates are published automatically once they pass our sourcing and fairness checks; anything sensitive is held back for a stricter editorial review. Our full standards.

Corrections

No corrections yet. Every change made after publishing will be listed here with its date.

Still being checked

The federal government's response to the Cold Lake First Nations, Tsartlip and other B.C. First Nations applications, and any hearing dates
Whether further First Nations file challenges; the AFN B.C. regional chief referred to a Coldwater challenge that we could not confirm
How many First Nations support the pipeline or intend to take up the equity stake
The exact route, terminal design and expected tanker traffic in the Salish Sea, and Canada's response to Washington state officials' call for stronger spill-response commitments
The status of the 2025 Ontario First Nations' challenge to Bill C-5
Whether Pacific Link was raised in the closed-door October 26 meeting in Ottawa and why Premier Smith did not attend, and what stance the incoming B.C. Conservative government will take on Pacific Link (Reuters reports provisional results of 64 of 93 seats for the Conservatives)
Whether the Alberta Métis nations around Fort McMurray pursue legal action, and the outcome of their requested meeting with federal and provincial governments

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Sources

Show all 51 sources

The law and the Ottawa–Alberta deal

Application, B.C. agreement and Bill C-39

The designation and reactions

Court challenge and latest

U.S. opposition to tanker traffic