CALGARY — Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi stood with Treaty Chiefs at the legislature this spring, furiously denouncing the UCP for “fundamentally damaging” treaty relationships and backing a historic non-confidence vote over ignored Indigenous rights and consultation failures.
“Treaty relationships are the basis for the existence of our province,” Nenshi declared, painting his party as the uncompromising champion of First Nations consent and Crown duties.
Here’s the simple disconnect that exposes the flip-flop:
When in power (2015-2019 under Rachel Notley):
The NDP aggressively pushed the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline despite strong opposition from multiple First Nations. When the Federal Court of Appeal killed the approval in 2018 specifically for inadequate Indigenous consultation, Notley didn’t accept the ruling on rights. She called it a “national crisis” for Alberta’s economy, pulled the province out of the federal climate plan, and demanded Ottawa appeal the decision and “fix” it immediately. Alberta’s government actively intervened in court against First Nations lawsuits. The message was clear: jobs, markets, and pipelines first — with little emphasis on the consent and consultation demands from Treaty territories.
Today under Nenshi (2026):
The NDP slams the UCP for any perceived shortfalls in treaty respect and consultation. At the same time, Nenshi’s party unveils an energy platform that boasts about “putting pipelines in the ground,” calls for maximizing Trans Mountain capacity, and promises to “work with Indigenous communities and other governments” on a new West Coast pipeline route. Nenshi proudly reminds voters that the Alberta NDP has delivered pipelines before by partnering with industry and First Nations.
The hypocrisy is straightforward:
In government, the NDP prioritized rapid pipeline development over pausing for full Indigenous consent when courts flagged problems.
In opposition, the same party now attacks the UCP for not showing enough deference to treaty rights and consultation on development decisions.
Nenshi insists there is no contradiction — the party can build pipelines while upholding consultation. Yet the record from the Notley years shows exactly the tension the NDP now weaponizes against its rivals: economic pressure for market access often came before elevating every Indigenous claim to veto power.
With Treaty Chiefs recently citing damaged relations and unaddressed rights in their rebuke of the UCP, Alberta voters can see the pattern clearly. The NDP’s position boils down to this: pipelines were urgent and non-negotiable when we held power; treaty rights demand total respect when we don’t.
