The text at the foot of Coquitlam’s steep hillsides is quiet this Wednesday morning, save for the rhythmic clatter of excavators preparing for what many locals hope will never materialize: another oil pipeline expansion project.
Standing at the edge of the construction zone, I watch as workers in high-visibility vests stake boundaries for what could become one of Western Canada’s most controversial energy corridors. The cool spring air carries traces of diesel and freshly turned earth.
“We’ve been told over and over that these projects are in the national interest,” says Melanie Kirsch, a local resident who has lived in this Metro Vancouver community for 23 years. “But when your backyard becomes the proving ground for that interest, you start asking whose nation we’re really talking about.”
Yesterday in Ottawa, Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson defended the federal government’s approach to energy infrastructure development, emphasizing that projects meeting environmental standards should proceed without undue delay.
“We need to ensure energy security while transitioning to cleaner options,” Wilkinson stated during a press conference, noting that Canada has committed over $120 billion toward climate initiatives while maintaining support for traditional energy projects that meet regulatory requirements.
The minister’s comments come amid growing tension between Ottawa’s climate commitments and its support for fossil fuel infrastructure. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, oil and gas production remains Canada’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 27% of the national total.
Wilkinson specifically highlighted several pending approvals that the federal government is “moving forward with appropriate consideration,” including offshore developments in Newfoundland’s Bay du Nord region and expanded pipeline capacity in British Columbia.
For communities like Coquitlam, these statements from Ottawa land differently than they might in energy-producing provinces. British Columbia has experienced unprecedented climate disasters in recent years, including the 2021 heat dome that killed 619 people according to the BC Coroners Service, and catastrophic flooding that displaced thousands.
“When your town is burning or underwater, you develop a different relationship with these energy decisions,” explains Dr. Sarah Burch, Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Governance at the University of Waterloo. “We’re seeing a profound disconnect between the lived experience of climate impacts and the pace of infrastructure development.”
The federal government maintains that its approach balances economic necessities with environmental responsibilities. Statistics Canada reports the energy sector directly employs over 280,000 Canadians and contributes approximately 10% to national GDP.
Back in Coquitlam, I follow a narrow trail leading from the construction site to a small creek where local environmental monitors have documented salmon returning to spawn. The water runs clear today, but concerns about sedimentation and potential spills loom large for watershed advocates.
“Every project comes with promises of world-class spill response and environmental protections,” says Liam Chen, a volunteer with the local streamkeepers society who meets me by the creek. “But we’ve seen enough accidents to know that ‘world-class’ still means damage when things go wrong.”
The tension between fossil fuel development and climate action isn’t unique to Canada. According to the International Energy Agency, global investment in clean energy surpassed fossil fuel spending for the first time in 2023, yet countries worldwide continue approving new oil and gas projects despite climate scientists’ warnings.
What distinguishes Canada’s situation is the stark regional divisions. When I visited Fort McMurray earlier this year, energy workers expressed frustration with what they perceive as coastal elitism disconnected from economic realities.
“People want their gas tanks filled and their homes heated,” said Jamie McPherson, a heavy equipment operator I interviewed there. “But they don’t want to acknowledge where that comes from or the families that depend on this industry.”
This sentiment resonates with Minister Wilkinson’s approach, which emphasizes pragmatic transition rather than abrupt change. The minister has repeatedly stated that Canada cannot “turn off the taps overnight” without severe economic consequences.
Indigenous perspectives on these developments vary significantly, reflecting the diversity of Nations across the country. While some First Nations have formed economic partnerships with energy companies, others stand firmly opposed to projects crossing their traditional territories.
“What’s often lost in this conversation is that many Indigenous communities are not inherently against development,” explains Eriel Deranger, Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action. “They’re against development that happens without proper consent, consultation, and consideration of long-term impacts.”
The Assembly of First Nations has called for meaningful inclusion in energy decisions that affect Indigenous lands, citing the principles of free, prior, and informed consent outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada has committed to implementing through federal legislation.
As the afternoon light fades in Coquitlam, construction crews pack up for the day. The quiet that returns feels temporary – both here and in the broader national conversation about energy’s future.
Minister Wilkinson’s statements suggest a continued government commitment to energy development even as climate policies advance. For communities on the frontlines of this dual reality, the tension between national interest and local impact remains unresolved.
Walking back to my car, I pass a small group of residents gathered at a community center to discuss upcoming public hearings about the project. Their quiet determination reminds me that regardless of federal approval processes, the conversation about Canada’s energy future continues to unfold in living rooms and community halls across the country – far from the ministerial offices where official decisions are made.
