The announcement of a potential oil pipeline project from Alberta to B.C.’s North Coast has sparked a wave of mixed reactions, with B.C. Premier David Eby voicing opposition. Eby emphasized the importance of coastal First Nations’ support for any such project, stating that the province will not back the pipeline without their approval.
Eby expressed disappointment at not being included in the initial planning discussions between the federal and Alberta governments, but clarified that B.C. will not pursue legal action against the project. He highlighted the lack of private-sector interest in funding the pipeline, suggesting that taxpayer money would be the only viable option, a prospect he deemed unfeasible.
During a recent signing ceremony in Calgary, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith formalized their commitment to exploring the pipeline project. The memorandum of understanding outlines plans for potential adjustments to the West Coast tanker ban if the pipeline progresses as a national interest project, with provisions for Indigenous co-ownership and economic benefits.