Premier David Eby of British Columbia has expressed concerns about the potential lifting of the oil tanker ban on the North Coast, emphasizing the risks it poses to significant investments that rely on the support of coastal First Nations.
Eby is urging the federal government to maintain the tanker ban on the West Coast, following remarks by Prime Minister Mark Carney indicating that any decision to lift the ban would be contingent on various considerations.
Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is advocating for the repeal of the tanker ban as part of a plan to construct an oil pipeline to the coast, which is scheduled to be presented to the Major Projects Office in the coming months.
However, Eby warns that lifting the tanker ban could jeopardize the approval of mines and energy projects by coastal First Nations, which collectively amount to around $60 billion in investment.
He criticizes Smith’s pipeline proposal, citing its lack of a proponent, financial support, and a defined route, labeling it as a divisive political tactic by a premier facing challenges on the political front.