Here’s what to know about today’s updates on the West Coast pipeline
B. C. and Ottawa agree to keep North Coast oil tanker ban
Prime Minister Mark Carney and B. C. Premier David Eby revealed a major deal worth billions for resource projects and other initiatives, which includes a promise from Ottawa to maintain the North Coast oil tanker ban. This announcement comes as Alberta is preparing to share more information about its proposed oil pipeline project.
A new agreement between British Columbia and the federal government announced on Thursday effectively blocks Alberta’s attempt to push for a controversial new pipeline to the northern West Coast, while still allowing for such a project if it follows a different route toward the Pacific.
B. C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney shared details of this multibillion-dollar resource deal early Thursday morning. As part of this agreement, Carney confirmed that the tanker traffic ban off B. C.’s North Coast will remain in place – preventing any pipelines from accessing that area since tankers won’t be able to load or unload oil there.
This announcement with B. C. was made just hours before Carney headed to Alberta for a pipeline-related announcement with Premier Danielle Smith. Both Carney and Smith chose not to discuss specifics prior but Smith mentioned at an unrelated press conference that they had come to a “mutually satisfactory” arrangement.
Documents acquired by last month indicated that Alberta was looking into an export location in northern B. C., which is closer geographically to Asia among other considerations. However, B. C. has consistently opposed that route due to environmental concerns, with a southern option also being considered.
Eby reiterated his worries on Thursday but seemed open to discussing potential pipeline options as long as protections for the North Coast remain intact due to the tanker ban.
“This agreement doesn’t require us to support any pipeline proposal from Alberta; however, as I’ve said before, we recognize our constitutional position, and we do not have the authority to stop a new pipeline,” Eby stated in Vancouver. “We will not be going to court to fight a pipeline project.”
Later on, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for supporting what he called a “ridiculous” oil tanker ban. Poilievre argued that Ottawa should give the green light for an Albertan proposal, stating he personally wasn’t against building a pipeline through southern B. C.
“Provide the permit, let the private sector build it, get out of the way and get it done,” Poilievre said in Camrose, Alta.
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