CPDFN lawsuit in June 2008, came after the Alberta government leased land in the heart of their traditional territory around Christina and Winifred Lakes to MEG Energy Corporation. The First Nation asserts the government did not uphold their constitutional duty to consult with them on the Christina Lake Regional Project Phase 3.

"For years, we have told Alberta and industry of our concerns about the erosion of our rights through ever-increasing development and the lack of proper planning for resource development. Yet Alberta has done almost nothing to change the way they regulate this development. If anything, Alberta has sped up the pace of its approvals," said Chief Vern Janvier of CPDFN.

Beaver Lake Cree Nation and the Woodland Cree have filed similar lawsuits. The Courts rulings will have implications for First Nations and all resource developers in the oil sands and across Alberta. The cases also raise the need for regional land use planning and proper impact assessment of existing and planned development.