Provincial leaders responded Wednesday to reports of an agreement in the works between Alberta and the federal government on a new pipeline project to British Columbia’s north coast.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said this week the province is getting “very close” to reaching a memorandum of understanding with Ottawa around a new pipeline – a project she has spent months lobbying for.
“I would say I’m encouraged by the conversations we’ve been having,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday. “We are working on an MOU that deals with comprehensively the issue of getting more bitumen to Asian markets, the [Pathways Alliance carbon-capture] project and our joint support of that, as well as the nine bad laws that are impairing our investment climate.”
A Globe and Mail report cited government sources who said the MOU could include an exemption to the federal ban on oil tankers on B.C.’s north coast.
Premier David Eby has long insisted that back-tracking on the oil tanker ban is a non-starter for the province. He signed a joint declaration earlier this month with Coastal First Nations, calling on the federal government to uphold the oil tanker moratorium in B.C.’s northern waters. It said repealing the law risks harm to the environment and jeopardizes future major projects.
Eby said in a statement Thursday he only learned about the MOU talks through the media.
“These talks about eliminating the ban on oil tankers off our coast have taken place without anyone from British Columbia at the table,” said Eby.
He said repealing the ban would jeopardize First Nations’ buy-in on major projects that represent tens of billions of dollars in investment for the province.
“Real jobs and prosperity are put at risk from this extremely early stage and unfunded proposal of a heavy oil pipeline. That’s something that BC and Canada cannot afford at this time,” said Eby.
Jobs and economic growth minister Ravi Kahlon told reporters Wednesday he was not made aware of any potential MOU in any recent discussions with federal officials. He reiterated that the pipeline has no private sector proponent.
“We have billions of dollars of investment right now, real projects that are ready to go, and we don’t want to put any of those projects at risk,” said Kahlon. He said the federal government could look to increase the capacity of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline instead.
Smith said last month her government would pitch fast-tracking a new pipeline to the federal Major Projects Office (MPO). She said the proposal will be supported by $14 million from her government. The advisory group for the application includes energy companies South Bow, Enbridge and Trans Mountain.
Mark Carney said last month he is open to the idea of a new pipeline to the west coast, if the project would be of economic benefit to Canada, is consistent with climate goals, and has opportunities for Indigenous participation. He also did not rule out repealing the tanker ban.
B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad on Wednesday criticized the NDP government for its opposition to a pipeline that could open up new markets in Asia.
“This government has done everything it can when the Trans Mountain pipeline was being built to block it,” said Rustad. “It’s high time the government switches position and start actually being on Canada’s side.”
B.C. Green MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky said he was “distressed” at the thought of Prime Minister Mark Carney going ahead with Alberta’s plan.
“Is Alberta going to hold the rest of the country hostage every time they want a pipeline?” said Valeriote, referring back to federally-owned Trans Mountain. He said a pipeline would be “catastrophic” for B.C.’s land and waters.
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