FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tsawwassen, BC, July 03, 2026 – Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is aware of Alberta’s announcement of a proposed southern pipeline route terminating at Roberts Bank, within Tsawwassen territory and potentially including a portion of Tsawwassen Treaty Settlement Lands, which are under TFN jurisdiction. TFN is reviewing the information currently available and awaiting further details from governments.
At this stage, TFN has not been consulted on the proposed route.
As a modern Treaty Nation with constitutionally protected Treaty rights, TFN expects meaningful, early, and ongoing consultation that meets Treaty standards.
“Tsawwassen First Nation is a modern Treaty Nation, and our Treaty rights are constitutionally protected,” said Executive Councilor Valerie Cross. “We have not been consulted on this proposal. If this project proceeds, we expect to be meaningfully involved from the earliest stages of planning and decision-making.”
TFN has not taken a position on the proposed pipeline.
Any future position will be informed by Member engagement, technical review, and consultation processes.
“Our Members will be at the centre of any future decisions,” Cross said. “We will take the time needed to understand the proposal, assess its potential impacts, and hear directly from our community before determining a position.”
Any proposal affecting TFN’s interests will be assessed through TFN’s Impact Assessment Framework.
This assessment will consider potential impacts to Treaty rights, lands, waters, the Fraser River estuary, Roberts Bank, fisheries, marine ecosystems, community well-being, and future generations.
TFN recognizes that projects of this scale may present both opportunities and risks. Any potential benefits will be considered alongside a rigorous assessment of environmental, cultural, social, and Treaty-rights impacts.
TFN also emphasizes that a designation under the Building Canada Act does not replace consultation, environmental review, impact assessment requirements, permitting processes, or the Crown’s obligations to consult First Nations.
“The designation of a project as a national priority does not diminish First Nations rights or consultation obligations,” Cross said. “Meaningful consultation, environmental review, and regulatory processes must still occur.”
TFN will continue to review available information and engage with governments, neighbouring First Nations, and other partners as details emerge.
No project approvals have been granted, and significant consultation, assessment, environmental review, and permitting processes would still need to occur before any project could proceed.
Updates will be shared with Members and the public as more information becomes available.