ATHABASCA CHIPEWYAN FIRST NATION, WET’SUWET’EN NATION, NO CO2 PIPELINES ALBERTA, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE CANADA, QUEBEC ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTRE

Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – Ahead of next week’s federal budget, Indigenous leaders, rural Albertans and environmental organizations from across Canada are in Ottawa to demand an end to billions in public funding for risky fossil fuel infrastructure projects, especially the Pacific Link pipeline, Pathways CCS project and LNG terminals.

Federal public financing for these fossil fuel infrastructure projects could exceed $100 billion.

These projects are being framed as necessary for Canada’s economy and sovereignty, despite high costs, declining global markets, and local opposition. These projects would increase environmental and health risks for nearby communities and add climate pollution that worsens the risks of wildfires, droughts and floods.

Without massive public subsidies, these projects would not move forward. Public money spent propping up risky fossil fuel projects diverts limited public resources from expanding electrification and renewable energy infrastructure that can strengthen Canada’s economy, address the affordability crisis, cut emissions, and build a truly sovereign clean energy future.

The delegation is meeting with Members of Parliament and government officials to discuss their urgent concerns about the government’s ongoing financial, legislative and regulatory support to these projects, including Bill C-39. In addition, the delegation organized a joint press conference on Parliament Hill this morning to call on the federal government to ensure that Budget 2026 rejects new subsidies and public financing for fossil fuel infrastructure, respects Indigenous rights and consent, and prioritizes public investments in clean energy projects that can deliver long-lasting benefits for Canadians.

The delegation includes Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), Chief Na’Moks, Hereditary Chief of the Tsayu (Beaver Clan) of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, Gwii Lok’im Gibuu (Jesse Stoeppler), Gitxsan Wilp Spookwx and Executive Director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, representatives from No CO2 Pipelines Alberta (a grassroots coalition in Alberta of rural residents, farmers and Indigenous community members), Keepers of the Water, Greenpeace, 350.org, West Coast Environmental Law, Quebec Environmental Law Centre (CQDE)  and Environmental Defence Canada.

Quotes:

Chief Na’Moks, Hereditary Chief of the Tsayu (Beaver Clan) of the Wet’suwet’en Nation

“Ottawa’s cheerleading for LNG Canada Phase 2 and Coastal GasLink Phase 2, despite our hereditary leadership withholding free, prior and informed consent, tells us how little this government values Indigenous rights. While Indigenous funding and rights are under attack, Ottawa is subsidizing oil and gas and offering loan guarantees to buy support for projects that threaten our lands and waters. Those deals risk leaving communities in debt for decades, with no guarantee the promised returns will ever reach them. If Canada means to honour its commitments, it must end subsidies for projects that lack our consent. It has a moral and constitutional obligation to respect our right to self-determination and those obligations must govern where it puts public money.”

Amil Shapka, co-founder of No CO2 Pipelines Alberta 

“To allow the world’s largest Carbon Capture and Storage project to proceed without an environmental impact assessment is reckless, short-sighted and irresponsible. It will put life, land and water at risk, with no meaningful benefits, and cost Canadians billions of dollars in taxpayer money. Everyday Albertans are being asked to live with the health and environment risks associated with the Pathways project, while wealthy oil sands companies get to greenwash their operations.”

Julia Levin, Associate Director – National Climate, Environmental Defence

“Next week’s budget will reveal whether PM Carney is intent on doubling down on an expensive and sunsetting industry, or whether Canada will finally participate in the 21st century clean energy race. Around the world, countries are rapidly adopting clean energy that is secure, reliable and affordable. Meanwhile in Canada, this government has taken a wrecking ball to Canada’s climate progress, promised well over $100 billion to risky fossil fuel projects and introduced the Bulldoze Nature Bill, which overrides laws that are intended to protect clean water, healthy communities and vulnerable wildlife. Will Budget 2026 be a turning point, or will PM Carney continue to chart a path that will leave Canada behind?”

Geneviève Paul, Executive Director, Quebec Environmental Law Centre

”The scientific consensus is clear: a rapid, deep and sustained reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is essential to meet international climate targets and protect people. Yet Canada is pursuing a new pipeline to increase its oil production. In doing so, it is turning its back on science and on its legal commitments. It would be a mistake and legally risky for Canada to waste billions of dollars subsidizing this project.”

Georgia Lloyd-Smith, Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law

“Approving the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of ‘national interest’ without understanding the full risks is a recipe for disaster. Rushing the project through with so few details known makes the pipeline vulnerable to legal challenges. And with Canadians slated to foot the bill for the costly and dated pipeline, it begs the question: whose interest is this project really in?”

Additional Information:

• In 2025, the federal government provided over $10 billion in public funding for fossil fuel projects. In 2026, the Government of Canada has already exceeded last year’s amount, with at least $13.8 billion.
• The federal government has rolled back key climate policies while expanding fossil fuel production through new pipelines, LNG facilities, and the Pathways Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, despite the lack of a credible business case for these projects.
• Without massive public subsidies, these projects would not move forward. Subsidizing risky fossil fuel projects diverts limited public resources from expanding electrification and renewable energy infrastructure that can grow the economy, address the affordability crisis while reducing emissions, and get Canada on track to being a truly sovereign clean energy superpower.
• The public does not support the government financing these projects. According to polling, a large majority of Canadians oppose subsidizing these projects, with polls conducted in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia showing a range of 59-68 per cent opposed.
• For more information on global energy investment trends, and what they mean for Canada’s economy, see Betting on Canada’s Future. The backgrounder highlights the growing investment in clean energy, the increasing risks facing oil and gas, and the significant economic costs of climate change.
• For more information on LNG, please review our media backgrounder available here

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Midhat Moini, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca

For Chief Na’moks and Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition

Kari Vierimaa, Vierimaa Consulting, kari@vierimaaconsulting.com