On Wednesay, November 26, 2025, the day before the details of the Alberta Canada Memorandum of Argreement, the Haisla Nation and District of Kitimat issued this joint statement.

November 26, 2025 – Haisla Traditional Territory, British Columbia

Yesterday afternoon, Haisla Nation and District of Kitimat met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss sustainable energy development in Canada, specifically the role Haisla Nation traditional territory has, and will continue to play in securing prosperity for Indigenous Peoples, British Columbians, and Canadians.

Haisla Nation and the District of Kitimat have been at the forefront of establishing Canada as a sustainable, natural resource superpower, including supporting the development of Canada’s first pipeline to tidewater in more than 70 years. Together, our communities have proven with Rio Tinto, LNG Canada, Cedar LNG and Coastal GasLink that we can do big things for Canada.

Haisla Nation and the District of Kitimat are focused on leading sustainable, nation-building developments that are aligned with our shared community values of respect, collaboration, environmental protection and Indigenous leadership. We invite partners to develop new projects with us that respect our values and the role we have played to date in supporting the greater Canadian economy.

Over a decade ago the community of Kitimat voted to oppose the Northern Gateway project. The Haisla Nation, who were firmly against that proposal at that time, still maintain that same position today regarding an oil pipeline and export facility in their territory. This position was articulated clearly to Premier Smith during the meeting.

Haisla Nation and District of Kitimat look forward to working with government at all levels, industry, neighbouring Nations and partners to support economic development and diversification in the Kitimat region, for the benefit of all Canadians, in alignment with federal commitments to Indigenous reconciliation and our values.

Together.

p̓aláaḡewala

Elected Chief Maureen Nyce,      Mayor Phil Germuth,

Haisla Nation                      District of Kitimat

In addition Kitimat Councillor  Lani Gibosn issued this statement on Facebook

Most people are probably aware already that our Prime Minister and the Premier of Alberta are talking about plans for an oil pipeline to the north coast of BC – the background photos in the press conference today showed Kitimat and the Douglas Channel. The Haisla Nation has made it clear that they oppose a pipeline/export facility in their territory, and support an ongoing ban on crude oil in the Douglas Channel and inside waters of the north coast of BC. Kitimat has seven elected leaders – which of them support the wishes of the Haisla Nation and the vast majority of British Columbians, and which of them want to welcome a natural disaster in our magnificent waters and coastline by actively lobbying Albertan politicians to bring a pipeline to Kitimat. Go ahead – ask all seven of them. Who will give a clear “NO” and promise to stand up for our coastlines, and who is dreaming of the glory they think they’ll receive by bringing a crude oil pipeline to Kitimat? Philip Germuth, Graham Pitzel, Gerry Leibel, Michelle Martins, Terry Marleau, Edwin Empinado, Mario Feldhoff – what do you have to say?

Historic links

In. April 2014, in a plebiscite, Kitimat voted 60- 40 against the Northern Gateway pipeline. The result was endorsed by District Council and rejected by the government of Stephen Harper

Alert: Kitimat votes No

Kitimat Council votes 4 to 1 to oppose Enbridge Northern Gateway

Harper assistant, Moore brush off Kitimat Northern Gateway plebiscite results