Mississauga Climate Action (MCA) stands in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs to support their undivided right to govern their ancestral lands according to their own laws and regulations. The Wet’suwet’en people have lived within their unceded ancestral land in Northern British Columbia for many generations. It is critical for all to condemn the federal government’s demand to access their territory for the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project. The Wet’suwet’en people are entirely peaceful in their protests, and it is unacceptable to see the use of physical force by the RCMP. This behaviour is evidence of a lack of genuine effort towards reconciliation with the indigenous community. We urge the federal government to approach resource development projects through an inclusive consultation with the Hereditary Chiefs and elected Councils.
Beyond cultural negligence, the Coastal GasLink Pipeline poses severe environmental concerns, aiming to develop transportive infrastructure for the exportation of natural gas. Supporting new fossil fuel projects will increase Canada’s emissions, putting all Canadians at risk of the devastation of climate change.
The use of police powers to force this devastating fossil fuel project belies the authenticity of Canada’s reconciliation efforts and commitment against climate change. It is imperative that all condemn this cultural and environmental injustice if progress is to be made.
We, the people of Mississauga, demand the Government of British Columbia and Canada peacefully seek consultation from the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs.
Sincerely,
Mississauga Climate Action