The North Coast Tanker Ban is there for a reason: to keep Coastal Communities safe

What you can do to Defend the North Coast Tanker Ban and Protect B.C.’s Coast 

Context

• B.C. communities and The B.C. Government and Coastal First Nations have voiced strong opposition to oil tanker expansion on the North Coast.
• With the recent MOU, Ottawa is prepared to designate this pipeline as a project of “national interest,” which triggers powers under the Building Canada Act which Carney’s government passed in June.
  • That designation means the pipeline — and possibly the tankers associated with transporting the oil — could be exempted from some federal laws. Those include the Fisheries Act, the Species At Risk Act and the Impact Assessment Act.
• PM Carney has stated he will not advance new pipeline projects in provinces that do not support them and we need to let him know that BC communities support the tanker ban.
• Coastal First Nations have called for “Nation-building projects that meet the needs of our future generations, not projects of the past that could destroy our coastal ecosystems and economies. 

Tell PM Carney to protect our coast by advancing this Notice of Motion at your Council:

That the Mayor write a letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources:

• Urging the federal government to stand by the 2019 North Coast tanker ban and reject any proposals that would undermine it; 
• Urging the federal governments publicly reaffirm their opposition to new northern oil pipelines and associated tanker traffic on the North Coast; 
• Encouraging the prioritization of investment in renewable energy and clean technologies that strengthen B.C.’s economy, create good jobs, and protect the coast and climate for current and future generations. 

And that the Mayor write a letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of British Columbia, the BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, the BC Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship: 

• Thanking them for their leadership in publicly defending the North Coast Tanker Ban;
• Encouraging the prioritization of investment in renewable energy and clean technologies that strengthen B.C.’s economy, create good jobs, and protect the coast and climate for current and future generations. 

 (Sample letters begin below)

Purpose:

To recommend that [x municipality or regional district] pass a motion to send a letter urging the federal government to support the 2019 North Coast tanker ban, reaffirm its opposition to new northern oil pipelines and tanker traffic, and advocate for clean energy investments that protect B.C.’s coast and climate, and a letter to the provincial government in support of their position to uphold the tanker ban.

Background:

In 2019, after decades of public engagement and advocacy by Indigenous nations, local governments, community groups, and residents, the Government of Canada passed the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act (Bill C-48). This legislation prohibits large oil tankers carrying crude oil and certain persistent oils from docking, loading or unloading at ports along B.C.’s North Coast, including Haida Gwaii, Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound.

The tanker ban was widely supported in British Columbia and seen as critical to protecting:

• Wild salmon, herring, halibut, and other fisheries that sustain coastal communities;
• Marine mammals, including orcas and humpback whales;
• The region’s tourism and seafood industries; and
• Cultural and economic livelihoods of Indigenous nations and local communities.

Recently, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and oil industry proponents have signalled renewed interest in proposing a northern oil pipeline, which would rely on tanker access to B.C.’s North Coast. This raises concerns about reversing hard-won environmental protections and increasing the risk of catastrophic oil spills.

B.C. communities including First Nations have voiced strong opposition to oil tanker expansion on the North Coast, instead supporting clean energy solutions that create long-term, sustainable jobs without endangering marine ecosystems. Prime Minister Carney has stated he will not advance new pipeline projects in provinces that do not support them.

Discussion:

By adopting the attached motion,  [X municipality] would:

• Reaffirm local government commitment to protecting the unparalleled ecological and cultural value of B.C.’s North Coast;

• Demonstrate support for Indigenous nations, local communities, and businesses who depend on healthy marine ecosystems; and

• Urge the federal governments to uphold the North Coast tanker ban and reject new northern oil pipeline proposals;

Protecting the coast aligns with the province’s CleanBC plan and the growing public demand for climate action, nature conservation, and resilient coastal economies.

Letters from BC communities to Mark Carney and federal ministers would send the message that the tanker ban must be upheld for our collective safety. Carney could add a North Coast oil pipeline to the ‘special projects list’ at any moment and letters sent quickly could influence this decision. 

 

Sample Letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Federal Ministers

The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

cc:

• Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
• Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Re: Defend the North Coast Tanker Ban and Protect B.C.’s Coast

Dear Prime Minister Carney and Honourable Ministers,

On behalf of the District of Saanich, we write to express our strong support for the 2019 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which prohibits large oil tankers from carrying crude and persistent oils along B.C.’s North Coast.

This law was won after years of determined advocacy by Indigenous nations, coastal communities and local governments, all united in the belief that the risk of oil spills is too great for this extraordinary region.

Why this matters to our community

• The North Coast is home to salmon, orcas, herring, halibut and other marine life central to our economy, culture and identity.

• A major spill could devastate fisheries, tourism and traditional harvesting practices, with consequences lasting generations.

• Residents across B.C. continue to say no new northern oil pipelines and tanker traffic, choosing a future based on clean energy instead.

We respectfully ask the Government of Canada to:

• Maintain and fully enforce the 2019 North Coast tanker ban;
• Reject any proposals that would weaken or overturn this critical protection;
• Prioritize federal investment in renewable energy and clean technology to create sustainable jobs and protect marine ecosystems.

Prime Minister Carney has pledged not to force pipelines through provinces that do not want them. We urge the federal government to honour this commitment and stand with British Columbians in keeping the North Coast spill-free for generations to come.

Thank you for your attention and leadership.

Sincerely,

XXXXX

 

Sample Letter to Premier David Eby and Provincial Ministers

The Honourable David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
West Annex, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4

cc:

• Honourable Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
• Honourable Adian Dix, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
• Honourable Tamara Davidson Minister of Environment and Parks

Re: Defend the North Coast Tanker Ban and Protect B.C.’s Coast

Dear Premier Eby and Honourable Ministers,

On behalf of [X municipality], we write to reaffirm our community’s strong support for the 2019 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which bans large oil tankers carrying crude and persistent oils from B.C.’s ecologically sensitive North Coast. We thank you for your public stance defending the tanker ban.

As you know, this ban was achieved through years of united action by Indigenous nations, coastal communities, local governments, and residents determined to protect salmon, herring, halibut, orcas, clean beaches and a sustainable coastal economy.

Why this matters to our community

• A single major oil spill would devastate fisheries, tourism, and cultural practices that sustain our coast.

• British Columbians have consistently rejected new northern oil pipelines and associated tanker traffic that would put our coast at risk.

• B.C. is uniquely positioned to lead in clean energy: wind, solar, storage and grid modernization, creating good, long-term jobs that do not threaten coastal ecosystems.

We commend your government for publicly reaffirming its opposition to any new northern oil pipelines and related tanker traffic and for calling on the federal government to uphold and fully enforce the North Coast tanker ban.

We are writing to express our support for your government’s position and to respectfully ask the Government of British Columbia to:

• Prioritize provincial investment in renewable energy and clean technology that protects the coast, supports economic resilience, and aligns with B.C.’s climate commitments.

We want future generations to enjoy wild salmon, healthy marine life and clean beaches, not the devastating legacy of oil spills. Thank you for your leadership, and we urge you to continue standing with British Columbians to keep the North Coast spill-free.

Sincerely,

XXXXX