At the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly in Ottawa, chiefs pressed federal ministers on consultation for major energy projects, particularly the Pathways Alliance carbon capture and storage network in Alberta. Chief Kelsey Jacko of Cold Lake First Nation criticized the project as being pushed without proper consent, stating that their territory would not be treated as an underground garbage truck for oil companies. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between federal efforts to fast-track carbon capture infrastructure and Indigenous rights to free, prior and informed consent. The Pathways Alliance involves major oil sands producers including Canadian Natural, Cenovus, and Suncor, and is a multibillion-dollar plan to transport and store greenhouse gas emissions. Chiefs passed resolutions opposing actions that would expedite projects at the expense of environmental protections and treaty relationships. The debate underscores a key challenge for carbon markets: how to build large-scale CCS projects that meet climate goals while respecting Indigenous sovereignty and consultation requirements.
