Celebrating Coastal GasLink – A Legacy in Action

Indigenous leaders from across the Coastal GasLink pipeline route were in attendance to celebrate their achievements on the project and the promising future of LNG development in B.C.

From left to right: Chief Rudy Paquette, Saulteau First Nations; Chief Priscilla Mueller, Saik’uz First Nation; Chief Glenn Bennett, Kitselas First Nation; François Poirier, President and CEO of TC Energy; Chief Councillor Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation; Chief Wesley Sam, Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation; Chief Darlene Hunter, Halfway River First Nation; Chief Roland Wilson, West Moberly First Nation; Chief Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation

On Thursday, May 29, 2025, TC Energy hosted a celebration in Vancouver to mark the completion and commercial in-service of the Coastal GasLink pipeline –– a 670-kilometre pipeline feeding LNG Canada and unlocking Canadian LNG to the world.

The evening brought together customers, partners, Indigenous leaders and other stakeholders to commemorate a project which represents more than just a pipeline. A culmination of more than 10-years of hard work and collaboration, Coastal GasLink marks Canada’s first direct path for global LNG exports –– delivering energy security to our allies and critical trade partners while enabling the switch to secure, lower-emitting LNG.

“It’s inspiring what Canadians can achieve when Indigenous and local communities, government and industry come together,” said TC Energy President and CEO, François Poirier, while addressing the crowd. “These projects are not just about supplying resources, they are nation-building.”

A project made possible by the unprecedented support and collaboration of Indigenous and local communities, representatives from nations across the project route were in attendance to celebrate the completion of the project and the benefits it has offered their communities.

“The Coastal GasLink project brought more than just opportunity –– it brought transformation. Our members gained long-term employment through roles such as the Construction Monitoring and Community Liaison and Community Workforce Accommodation Advisor programs,” said Chief Marcella Morris, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band. “Today, our community continues to thrive, bolstered by the skills, confidence, and prosperity that began with this partnership.”

Coastal GasLink helped set a new standard for major infrastructure development in British Columbia and Canada. The project made history with Indigenous nations across the route through potential equity ownership, and by enabling Cedar LNG –– the world’s first Indigenous community to develop an LNG facility as majority owners, under the leadership of Chief Councillor Crystal Smith.

“It has been a pleasure to be on this journey with Coastal GasLink and the other Nations along the route. Together, we have built stronger communities, a more prosperous future, and enabled Indigenous-led projects like Cedar LNG. That is a legacy to be proud of,” said Chief Councillor Crystal Smith.

Together with LNG Canada, which is targeting its first LNG cargo mid this year, Coastal GasLink represents the largest private investment completed in Canadian history – a partnership that has transformed the future of LNG in Canada. With shifting U.S. trade policies becoming increasingly unpredictable, LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink are paving the way for export opportunities right here on Canada’s West Coast.

It was an evening to celebrate a shared achievement – from the Indigenous and local communities, to LNG Canada, to the Coastal GasLink partners and investors, and importantly, the thousands of workers who made it all possible. So much has been accomplished, and yet, the message was clear: When it comes to LNG, Canada is just getting started.

François Poirier, President and CEO of TC Energy, is pictured with Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Crystal Smith, who is leading responsible LNG development on her territory through the Cedar LNG project.

“The call to action is clear: Canada must step forward with vision, decisiveness and innovation and claim our leadership position in the global energy market,” said Poirier, “We can’t afford to wait another decade. The world is watching. Our allies are counting on us.” .

LNG Canada President and CEO, Chris Cooper, is pictured providing remarks at the Legacy in Action event. LNG Canada, fed by Coastal GasLink, will deliver its first cargoes later this year.

With the welder’s mask from Coastal GasLink’s final ‘Golden Weld’ in the foreground, François Poirier, President and CEO of TC Energy, spoke to the power of collaboration between industry, Indigenous and local communities and government in delivering Canada’s first direct path for global LNG exports.