Ellis Ross
- Born
- June 16, 1965 — Kitimat
- Family
- Married to Tracey, two daughters
- Career
- Survey work for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, operated a charter boat, ran a hand logging and salvage log beachcombing business with his brother. Haisla Nation Council's first full-time councillor in 2003, Haisla Nation's Chief Councillor in 2011
- Political Experience
- MLA for the riding of Skeena from 2017 to 2024. Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing. Elected MP for Skeena—Bulkley Valley in 2025.
- Notable
- Inducted into the Order of British Columbia in 2014.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, Ellis Ross had a long career in Indigenous governance and resource development. He served as the elected Chief Councillor for the Haisla Nation in British Columbia for over a decade. During his time as Chief, he was a key figure in negotiating agreements for major industrial projects on Haisla territory. His most prominent work involved securing the LNG Canada project, a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas facility in Kitimat. Ross was a vocal advocate for the project, framing it as a crucial opportunity for economic self-sufficiency and prosperity for his community. He also served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in British Columbia from 2017 to 2021, representing the Skeena riding for the BC Liberal Party (now BC United).
Key Relationships & Connections
As Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation, Ellis Ross developed key relationships with executives from the energy sector, most notably with the partners in the LNG Canada consortium, which includes Shell, Petronas, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation, and KOGAS. He worked closely with provincial government leaders, including former B.C. Premier Christy Clark, to secure approvals and agreements for the LNG project. In provincial politics, he was a member of the BC Liberal caucus under leader Andrew Wilkinson. As a federal Member of Parliament, he is part of the Conservative Party caucus led by Pierre Poilievre. His political career is fundamentally linked to his leadership role within the Haisla Nation.
Public Controversies
Ellis Ross's strong support for oil and gas projects, such as the Coastal GasLink pipeline and LNG Canada, has been a source of public controversy. His stance has often placed him in opposition to environmental organizations and some other Indigenous leaders who oppose the projects due to their environmental impact and concerns over Indigenous rights and title. In 2020, while serving as a provincial MLA, Ross faced significant backlash and calls for his resignation as the opposition critic for LNG and resource opportunities. This followed a social media post in which he reportedly compared the tactics of some Indigenous protestors to those of the Ku Klux Klan. He later stated his comments were misunderstood and that he was referring to the use of masks to hide identities, not making a direct comparison of the groups' overall nature or goals.
Where Ellis falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Taylor Bachrach won with 17,677 votes (39.3%)
Total votes cast: 44,932
How does Ellis Ross's voting record line up with your values?
C-241 Madam Speaker, we are here talking about Bill, the national strategy on flood and drought forecasting act. We are going to hear speeches about how great this is and how needed it is. We agree on this side. This is definitely needed, given the times that we are living through. To be fair to Canadians, this is a strategy that promises to do something in the future; it is not something
Madam Speaker, first nations Canadians should know that this is the track record of the Liberal government. It promised to put in a framework to do something in the future, and the first nations leaders, including me, have heard this so many times before. First nations leaders and Canadians should understand that it is a great speech from the Liberal government, and a great bill, so it says, but
Prime Minister Madam Speaker, thesays he wants to fast-track the Pacific link pipeline while promising first nations that they will decide if the project goes ahead. Our representative at the B.C. First Nations Leadership Council said the Prime Minister assured them that we will get consent. Prime Minister Will theapprove the pipeline, even if just one of the 129-plus first nations along the
Madam Speaker, I want to reaffirm a question, which my colleague asked previously, and its answer, because this is a big, shiny announcement. As a first nations leader, I have seen big, shiny announcements over the last 20 years, but I think it is important that Canadians and aboriginals understand that, underneath this shiny announcement, the Canadian government, the Liberal government, is
Madam Speaker, the Liberal government here, as in many other acts and bills, will always talk about billions and billions of dollars. In this case, we are talking about $4 billion going toward clean drinking water. However, all the studies say that 43% of every dollar that goes toward these types of initiatives ends up in administration or lawyers or consultants. Does the member have any
Prime Minister Madam Speaker, this is exactly what theclaimed, that he provided full, meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, and he has made different promises to different First Nations. Is he seeking consensus or following UNDRIP commitments while fast-tracking the Pacific link major project designation with only two months of consultation? Prime Minister Will theonly approve the
Mr. Speaker, the member is doing a good job representing the good citizens of Abbotsford. We should get rid of the taxes on fuel, and create more supply by building more refineries and expanding the production that we currently have. If we think about it, the Liberals have actually taken our ideas before, not all of them, and not 100% of the way, but they did have an effect at the gas pump. It
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear we have a reserve for our maple syrup. Haisla had the same question. We are just a small native band. We were wondering the same thing about why Canadian investors would not invest in major projects. The simple answer came back that they cannot afford it. Only the largest multinational corporations can afford to do business in Canada. What we are trying to do on
Lethbridge Mr. Speaker, before I get started, I would like to say that I am sharing my time with the member for. We are here talking about a motion regarding diesel prices, which are basically out of control. They are getting higher, with the potential to go even higher, and our Conservative motion is to cut diesel taxes to save Canadians money and produce more fuel here at home. Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, that was a very comprehensive speech. It actually related to everything I have learned over the last 20 years. Prime Minister I will not say “rights and title” but “indigenous interests”. In relation to indigenous interests, thesaid the content of UNDRIP would not be affected by a pipeline going to the Pacific coast. However, with the original Trans Mountain pipeline, there were
Mr. Speaker, I think we are having the same conversation about Pacific link, but the price tag for that pipeline is going to be enormous. Who is going to pay for that? It will be the taxpayer. It is possible, but I think in terms of a crisis and talking about affordability, and the supply and demand of diesel and fuel products, this conversation is long overdue. It should have happened 10 years
Mr. Speaker, 350 Canadian steelworkers are losing their job at Stelco, all while the government knew and allowed LNG Canada phase two to use Chinese steel. The Liberal government granted a remission order on anti-dumping duties in phase one, so it cannot claim ignorance. Why did the Liberals not fight for Canadian-made steel, for Canadian jobs and for Canadian businesses?
Mr. Speaker, in talking about indigenous consultation, there was a story that came out that said that the consultation for the Pacific link pipeline to Vancouver was going to be two months long. Does that reflect meaningful consultation of aboriginal rights and title?
Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, the reannouncement of LNG Canada phase two is old news, but we now know that steel being used for that project is from China. Thepromised Canadians he would buy Canadian and use Canadian-made steel for major projects. Instead, he is allowing companies to use foreign steel while Canadian steelworkers are facing layoffs. We have seen the government buy American, and now
Mr. Speaker, my focus over the last 15 years has always been about indigenous consultation and the accommodation of aboriginal rights and title. The original Trans Mountain pipeline did not get 100% consent from all participating first nations, but the project still went ahead. For the Pacific link pipeline, will the government be pursuing 100% consent from all participating first nations?
Mr. Speaker, the member's speech made significant mention of aboriginal rights and title without actually talking about aboriginal rights and title. There are so many clauses in this bill that affect rights and title and affect the promises made under UNDRIP by the government. One in particular is about enabling the designation of regions of national interest in areas such as energy corridors,