441-00116 (Indigenous affairs)

The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (CIR) would like to thank the petitioners for expressing their interest in the Wet’suwet’en Nation and Coastal GasLink pipeline project. The Government endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2016 and on June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent and immediately came into force.  Canada is in the process of implementing the Declaration.

The former Minister of CIR and the former British Columbia Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation met with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs between February 27 and 29, 2020. These talks initially focused on two separate topics: the recognition of Wet’suwet’en Aboriginal rights and title throughout their territory, and the issues arising out of the Coastal GasLink project. These topics were discussed separately. The parties made the decision to keep the pipeline matter separate from rights and title discussions, as the pipeline remains entirely within the jurisdiction of British Columbia and therefore is most appropriately addressed bilaterally between Wet’suwet’en and the Province.

Canada, British Columbia, and the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 14, 2020, which broadly recognizes Wet’suwet’en rights and title throughout the Yintah (traditional territory) and that Wet’suwet’en rights and title are held by Wet’suwet’en Houses under their traditional system of governance. Ongoing nation-to-nation talks are focused on exploring a path forward toward substantive agreements that would describe future governance, areas of jurisdiction, and the implementation of Wet’suwet’en rights and title. 

The federal Government remains committed to reconciliation with all Indigenous Peoples, including the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Despite the recent escalation of protest and enforcement activities, CIR is engaged in regular and ongoing negotiations with Wet’suwet’en and British Columbia with respect to the implementation of Wet’suwet’en rights and title within the territory.