Northwest British Columbia is increasingly being recognized for what it already is: one of the most intact, ecologically rich, and culturally significant regions left in the province. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced the “Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor” as part of the second tranche of major “nation-building” projects referred to the federal Major Projects Office” — a move that signals the region’s importance is being acknowledged at the national level.
That recognition matters. And it creates a real opportunity — but also a real tension between the goals of conservation and the pressures of development.
Why this Corridor Matters
As reporting by National Observer and The Narwhal shows, the area being discussed as the Critical Conservation Corridor includes some of Canada’s most extraordinary landscapes — intact salmon watersheds, critical wildlife habitat, and vast roadless areas that are increasingly rare. These lands have been stewarded by Indigenous Nations for thousands of years and continue to sustain cultures, livelihoods, and ecosystems far beyond the region itself.
Importantly, conservation in this region is not a new idea. Indigenous Nations including the Kaska Dena, Tahltan, Gitanyow, and Taku River Tlingit have already advanced Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and land-use plans grounded in their laws, responsibilities, and visions for the future. These efforts together represent conservation at a scale that can contribute meaningfully to Canada’s commitment to protect 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.
The groundwork for success — rooted in Indigenous leadership and deep ecological knowledge — is already here.
A Corridor with Potential — and Tension
The federal government’s use of the term “Critical Conservation Corridor” brings welcome attention — and with it, the possibility of aligning conservation goals with Indigenous leadership and long-term planning. Prime Minister Carney even referenced the idea of protecting an area “the size of Greece,” which has captured public imagination about what is possible when governments take biodiversity loss seriously.
But there is also tension in that language. Much of the federal discussion around the corridor so far has focused on critical minerals, energy infrastructure, transmission lines, and LNG projects — rather than clearly defined protected spaces for wildlife and ecosystems. In fact, the corridor’s components currently include existing or proposed industrial infrastructure like pipelines, export facilities, and transmission lines — with little mention of conservation.
For example, the corridor referral to the Major Projects Office includes energy and transmission projects like the North Coast Transmission Line, which is intended to deliver “clean” power and enable projects such as Ksi Lisims LNG, while also potentially accelerating access to mineral deposits in areas including the “Golden Triangle.”
That juxtaposition — conservation language alongside industrial development proposals — highlights the very real tension at the heart of the corridor concept. But it also underscores why this moment is so important: the corridor is not yet fixed in law or policy, meaning there is still a chance to help shape how it unfolds.
What Will Make the Conservation Promise Real
There is strong reason for optimism — and the path forward is clear — if governments, Indigenous Nations, and civil society work in partnership to strengthen conservation outcomes.
1. Indigenous Leadership Must Remain Central.
Conservation in northwest B.C. is already being defined by Indigenous Nations through their own governance systems and land-use planning. Supporting those efforts — rather than subsuming them into broader development agendas — is the most effective way to achieve durable, meaningful protection.
2. Conservation Areas Must Be Clearly Identified and Legally Recognized.
Turning vision into reality means recognizing IPCAs and other no-go zones into Crown law, providing certainty that these places will remain intact over the long term. Without clear legal protections, conservation can remain aspirational rather than enforceable.
3. Clear Land-Use Planning Benefits Everyone.
Northwest B.C. has long attracted mining and industrial interest, especially in the “Golden Triangle”. Clearly defining where mining and other heavy development will not occur helps reduce conflict, protects irreplaceable ecosystems, and provides greater certainty for industry about where development may be appropriate.
4. Good Decision-Making Depends on Evidence and Respect.
A successful conservation corridor must maintain ecosystem connectivity and resilience. That requires respecting ecological science, Indigenous knowledge, and the limits of watersheds and wildlife habitats to thrive despite increasing development pressures.
5. Implementation of “30×30” Commitments.
The BC government launched the Northwest Land Use Planning process in June 2025. It is undertaking meaningful public engagement in partnership with the Tahltan, Kaska, Taku River Tlingit First Nation and Gitanyow. But amidst the transparency and engagement, there is also misinformation and opposition from the mineral exploration sector. It’s important that the province stay on track to implement 30×30 and move forward with these globally significant conservation opportunities.
A Moment to Protect What Inspires Us
At a time when headlines are often dominated by fast-tracking projects and weakening safeguards, the Critical Conservation Corridor offers something different: a chance to protect places that inspire awe and sustain life — if governments choose to build strong protections into policy and law.
If they do — by grounding the corridor in Indigenous leadership, clear legal protections, and strong planning — this initiative could help ensure that northwest B.C. remains a place of wild rivers, healthy ecosystems, and cultural continuity for generations to come.
That is a hopeful vision — and it is one well within reach.