During a heated debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday, MPs from the Liberal government and Official Opposition clashed over a Conservative motion focusing on the construction of a pipeline to the B.C. coast. The motion, proposed by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, aimed to challenge the Liberals to take a clear stance on supporting a pipeline to transport Alberta bitumen to the coast.
Poilievre emphasized the importance of the pipeline for boosting the economy and ensuring self-reliance. While the government expressed general support for the motion, Alberta Liberal MP Corey Hogan cautioned that the debate could be a potential political trap for the Liberals, risking misunderstandings with Indigenous communities and other provinces.
The motion was later amended by the Conservatives to include clauses from the Alberta agreement, emphasizing commitments to environmental projects and consultations with Indigenous Peoples and the B.C. government. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson criticized the motion as a political ploy to create divisions within the Liberal caucus.
Indigenous groups, such as the Haida Nation and Coastal First Nations, expressed concerns over the motion and emphasized the importance of including their perspectives in discussions about potential pipeline projects. The vote on the motion was non-binding, with the government pledging to engage with Indigenous leaders on such matters.