The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Prime Minister Mark Carney promised first nations on the northern B.C. coast new ocean protection resources on Tuesday, but was told support for an oil pipeline remains a hard "no." The Globe's Justine Hunter writes that Mr. Carney told reporters after meeting with about five dozen indigenous leaders from the north and central coast for more than two hours. The closed-door meeting at Prince Rupert's convention centre was set up after coastal first nations lashed out over being excluded from talks between Ottawa and Alberta on a new oil pipeline to the Pacific. It is the first time Mr. Carney has met with indigenous leaders on the coast since signing the memorandum of understanding with Alberta last November. The tone was set in the meeting when Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson delivered a direct apology to first nations for suggesting that he could meet with the leadership through a video conference. Heiltsuk Chief Marilyn Slett said indigenous leaders in the room made clear to Mr. Carney that they oppose any project that would bring oil tankers to the dangerous waters off the north coast. "It was very good," Mr. Carney said of the meeting.
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