benkrut / Depositphotos.com
OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives are pressing the Liberal government to take a clear position on a pipeline to Canada’s Pacific coast, with a House of Commons vote on the issue scheduled for today.
The motion calls for support to build one or more pipelines capable of exporting at least one million barrels per day of low emission Alberta bitumen from a British Columbia deep water port to Asian markets. It also proposes adjusting the federal tanker moratorium to allow such exports and says all work must respect the duty to consult Indigenous Peoples.
The Conservatives say the wording reflects commitments Prime Minister Mark Carney made during the signing of a federal Alberta memorandum of understanding in late November. At the time, Carney said a pipeline to Asia would help build Canada into an energy superpower and strengthen the country’s independence and resilience.
The party argues Liberal MPs are now distancing themselves from that position. Vancouver Granville MP Taleeb Noormohamed has said any proposal must have the consent of British Columbia and First Nations. Surrey MP Gurbux Saini has said a project cannot proceed without backing from the province’s premier. Victoria MP Will Greaves has told constituents he does not support a pipeline.
BC NDP Premier David Eby has repeatedly rejected the idea, saying he will not support lifting the tanker ban or allowing raw bitumen exports from the province’s coast. While the Constitution gives Ottawa authority over interprovincial pipelines, Eby’s opposition adds political pressure to the debate.
The Conservatives say the vote will force the Liberal caucus to take a public stand on whether they support a pipeline to the West Coast. They argue a new route to Asia would unlock significant private sector investment and allow Canadian oil to reach world markets.
Comments