Question Period Note: First Nations Oil and Gas Management

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• This government is supporting sustainable economic growth, and will continue supporting responsible oil and gas management on designated First Nation lands across Canada.
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada manages and regulates oil and gas resources on designated First Nation lands across Canada.
• Oil and gas companies are required to comply with the Indian Oil and Gas Act and Regulations, and other requirements.
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada is also requiring surface contract holders to undertake abandonment, remediation, and reclamation when the contract is no longer used for its intended purpose.
• The Government of Canada is strengthening its regulations to enhance management of oil and gas on First Nation lands including amending the environment, surface, and pipeline closure sections. A consultation draft will be shared when available.

First Nation Oil and Gas Management and Proposed Regulatory Changes
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada is a Special Operating Agency within Indigenous Services Canada that manages and regulates oil and gas resources on designated First Nation lands across Canada.
• Oil and gas companies are required to comply with Indian Oil and Gas Act and the Indian Oil and Gas Regulations (Regulations).
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada is collaborating with the Indian Resource Council to update the environment, surface contract, and pipeline closure sections of the Regulations.
• A consultation draft of the proposed changes is expected to be released in mid- to late-2025.

Historic and Future Oil and Gas Liability Management
• Indian Oil and Gas Canada is currently requiring surface contract holders to undertake abandonment, remediation, and reclamation when their surface contract is not being used for its intended purpose.
• Approximately 2,770 known orphan, suspended, and legacy, inactive or without a responsible owner wells are located on First Nation lands across Canada including 16 in British Columbia, 1,655 (~60%) in Alberta, 819 (~30%) in Saskatchewan, 1 in Manitoba and 279 (~10%) in Ontario.

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