The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are monitoring a blockade of an oil lease road in northern Alberta, but they are not enforcing an injunction for members of the Woodland Cree First Nation to remove themselves from the site. Cpl. Mathew Howell stated that the RCMP’s role is to maintain peace and facilitate discussions between representatives of Obsidian Energy and the Woodland Cree First Nation to resolve the dispute.
The dispute arose in February when the First Nation expressed concerns about Obsidian’s expansion plans without proper consultation. They specifically raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, including earthquakes resulting from the company’s activities. Obsidian faced an environmental protection order from Alberta’s energy regulator after causing the largest earthquake in the province’s history in 2022.
Meanwhile, Obsidian alleges that the First Nation is attempting to force them to exclusively employ members of the Woodland Cree. The blockade, set up by members of the Woodland Cree, is obstructing a road that Obsidian was using to perform maintenance on a pipeline site.
This situation has unfolded amid other related developments. The Woodland Cree First Nation has advised its residents to remain at home following a reported sighting of a suspect involved in a shooting incident in Alberta. Additionally, Obsidian Energy recently allowed a hostile takeover offer for Bonterra Energy to lapse.
