Premier, coastal First Nations celebrate protections for North Coast economy, environment

Premier David Eby joined coastal First Nations leaders to celebrate a major win for British Columbia after protecting the North Coast in the Canada-B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement.

The deal with the federal government will keep heavy oil tankers off B.C.’s pristine North Coast, continue the oil tanker ban, and safeguard a sustainable marine economy that generates more than $3 billion annually.

“Here in British Columbia, protecting the environment, growing the economy and working in partnership with First Nations and local communities go hand in hand,” said Premier David Eby. “By standing alongside northern residents and coastal First Nations to keep the tanker ban in place for all British Columbians, we’re not just protecting one of the world’s most sensitive marine ecosystems, we’re also defending thousands of jobs and the local economies that depend on a healthy coast. Safeguarding this important coastal protection also means securing future investments in the region. Businesses and local communities here are excited about the renewed focus on building up and expanding our economy for generations to come.”

B.C.’s conservation economy shows that environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand. The Great Bear Rainforest agreements have helped create more than 1,400 permanent jobs and 140 businesses. The Canada-B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement ensures the tanker ban will be kept in place without modification, providing certainty for communities, First Nations and businesses that depend on a healthy coastal environment for jobs and prosperity.

“We commend the provincial government for reaffirming its commitment to maintain the North Coast tanker ban through its agreement with Canada,” said Marilyn Slett, president, Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative, and elected Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation. “Northwest B.C. is home to one-third of the major projects announced over the past year, which significantly increase shipping traffic through the North Coast. Together, we can build durable economic partnerships, invest in the infrastructure needed to ensure safe and reliable shipping, and protect our environment — creating lasting benefits for Canadians for generations to come.”

Businesses, communities and residents have expressed that, in addition to coastal protection, they are supportive of the renewed focus on building up and expanding the local economy.

B.C. has recommitted to working with First Nations partners and the federal government to make investments in the North Coast, based on economic growth through strong partnerships, responsible development and shared opportunity.

For more than 50 years, coastal First Nations, local communities and governments of all political stripes have supported protections against crude oil tankers on B.C.'s North Coast. The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, passed in 2019 by the federal government, formalized a longstanding commitment to protect the region from the risks associated with crude oil spills.

The moratorium prohibits oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil or persistent oil products as cargo from stopping, loading, or unloading at ports or marine installations in the moratorium area.

Today, the North Coast economy supports thousands of livelihoods in fisheries, tourism, clean energy and environmental stewardship, with up to 30% of jobs on the North Coast tied directly to the coastal economy.