In its annual report released on Monday, Amnesty International strongly criticizes Canada for its record on Indigenous rights. The criticisms resonate strongly with the First Nations in the Pacific Coast province of British Columbia.

This global non-governmental organization accuses the Canadian government of failing to fulfill its commitments to protect Indigenous lands and waterways.

In the same context, the report stated that by supporting the expansion of the "Trans Mountain" oil pipeline, the federal government and the government of British Columbia continue to violate the rights of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation of Indigenous peoples.

The human rights organization's report also shed light on violations along the route of the controversial "Coastal GasLink" gas pipeline.

The organization also pointed out the lack of prior, free, and informed consent from the hereditary leaders of the Wet’suwet’en Nation of Indigenous peoples before the commencement of drilling activities on their lands.

However, the right of Indigenous peoples to consent is a principle protected by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which has been adopted throughout Canada since 2021.

If Indigenous peoples do not give consent, the declaration stipulates the right to compensation, through "restoration or, if that is not possible, fair, proper, and equitable compensation for the lands, territories, and resources" that were confiscated, taken, occupied, exploited, or damaged.

Amnesty International also condemns in its report the arrests and convictions of protesters opposing the gas pipeline.

The organization recalls the civil lawsuit filed by protesters regarding the intimidation and harassment techniques used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the federal police) against protesters opposing the gas pipeline project.