First Nations

The area of the B.C. coast that has been leased to oil companies is part of the traditional territories of over 28 First Nations. Many have unsettled land claims and treaties. First Nations were not consulted over the leases.

First Nations rely on the bounty of the land and ocean for food, and to preserve their culture. They and other coastal people will be most affected by the risks that come with offshore oil and gas.

Very little time and hardly any resources have been made available for First Nations to carry out research to inform themselves about what an offshore oil and gas industry would mean to their communities, cultures and livelihoods.

The 2004 report, Rights, Risks and Respect , produced for the federal government, stated that all 70 First Nations interviewed wanted the moratorium to stay in place.

The Coastal First Nations* commissioned Simon Fraser University to conduct a study on the possible affects of an offshore oil and gas industry on B.C.'s coast. It found that a modest sized offshore oil and gas development operating for 25 years could result in 484 small oil spills, and had a one in five chance of a large oil spill.

*The Coastal First Nations (CFN) is an alliance of First Nations on British Columbia’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. The CFN includes Wuikinuxv Nation, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xaixais, Gitga’at, Haisla, Metlakatla, Old Massett, Skidegate and the Council of the Haida Nation.

Key findings of Rights, Risks and Respect :

• There are significant environmental risks with offshore oil and gas development
• There will be few jobs and limited economic benefits to coastal communities
• Canada’s regulatory regime does not meet international standards
• The moratorium review process is deficient
• Offshore development will not solve coastal B.C.'s economic challenges
• The moratorium should remain in place