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Carney waiting for Alberta's pipeline proposal

Prime Minister Mark Carney says while it's up to Alberta to submit a proposal for an oil pipeline to the B.C. Coast 'on or around July 1,' the federal process to decide whether or not to refer a plan to the Major Projects Office would take until October.

Two days ago, Carney declined to say whether he had seen a proposal from Alberta but said he was "very up to speed" on the potential pitch. He reiterated that Ottawa's support for a West Coast pipeline is linked to building the Pathways carbon capture and storage project, to offset some of the emissions from increased oil production. 

A video posted to Carney's YouTube channel on Tuesday discussed an energy crisis the country faces, and noted the federal government is developing options for an oil pipeline to the West Coast.

Heather Exner-Pirot, director of natural resources, energy and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, said she believes the video is an indication Ottawa is in favour of moving the project forward and delivering on a pipeline, will designate it a nation-building project, and assist with financing in some form.

"Carney spoke in his video about his desire to have a united, strong country, to do things that bring us together," Exner-Pirot said on Tuesday.

"This, for me, is all setting the stage for something that both Alberta and B.C. And Ottawa are all going to get behind on Thursday."

Carney and Eby both responded to a question asking if the B.C. Announcement was a "quid pro quo," ahead of the prime minister's news conference with Smith later this evening, which is expected to confirm a pipeline project. 

Carney responded by calling the announcement a part of "Canada strong day," saying this agreement was about capturing B.C.'s "potential for the province and the country" as a whole. 

Eby followed up by saying he's proud of what he called a "B.C. Project about B.C. Agreements," suggesting that examining the announcement through the lens of an "Alberta agreement" was a "disservice" to B.C. 

Eby has long been opposed to any pipeline running through to B.C.’s North Coast, but spoke optimistically about today’s announcement as an example of "co-operative federalism."

The Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative — an alliance of First Nations on B.C.'s North Coast — has long voiced its opposition to a pipeline, saying at the time a memorandum of understanding was signed between Alberta and Ottawa that the nations would use "every tool in their toolbox" to keep oil tankers out of their coastal waters.

Marilyn Slett, elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation and the initiative's president, said the alliance will "never allow oil tankers on our coast" and this pipeline project would "never happen." 

"Today is a good day," Slett said in a release this morning.

"Northwest BC is already home to one third of the major projects announced over the past year, and many of these will significantly increase shipping traffic through the North Coast. Together, we can build durable economic partnerships, invest in the infrastructure needed to ensure safe and reliable shipping, and protect our environment — creating lasting benefits for Canadians for generations to come."

The nations would much rather work with Ottawa on projects they feel are nation-building, forward-looking and built in partnership with Indigenous peoples, she said. 

Carney was asked what his B.C. Announcement meant for Alberta's expected pipeline project. He answered that he would wait until later today to speak on the topic. 

The prime minister is holding a news conference with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith this evening, which is expected to confirm a pipeline project. 

Though Eby has been firmly opposed to the idea of a pipeline running through to B.C.'s North Coast, he slightly changed his tune today, responding to reporters' questions by saying pipelines are under federal jurisdiction. 

Earlier in the news conference in Vancouver this morning, he referred to Carney as a "persuasive" negotiator. 

"The federal government was under no obligation to sit down with us to talk about the pipeline. This is an area of federal responsibility under the law. We learned this the hard way on the last pipeline," the B.C. Premier said.

Eby said B.C. Has stood firm on its position that "there’s no way that we see a new bitumen pipeline going through the north of the province." 

He added that Ottawa's commitment to the tanker ban is encouraging. 

"We have anxiety about the impact of any new pipeline project — period — on British Columbia’s coast…. There are very clear safeguards in place around spill protection."

B.C. 'will not go to court to fight a pipeline project,' Premier Eby says

B.C. 'will not go to court to fight a pipeline project': Eby

Eby acknowledged that an oil pipeline is federal jurisdiction and B.C. Does not have the power to stop it."We are not going to court to fight a pipeline project," he said.

But the deal does commit that if an oil pipeline goes ahead, B.C. Will be compensated for any environmental impact. 

"For far too long, British Columbians sent out more money than we received back in federal supports," Eby said. "We haven’t been receiving our fair share. But today, that is changing."

Ebay did say the memorandum will "keep the North Coast tanker ban firmly in place," which he said will protect B.C.'s pristine coastline and the $2 billion economy that relies on it. 

The memorandum of understanding also includes a commitment from the federal government to cover one third of the cost to replace the George Massey Tunnel, to a maximum of $3 billion.

"This could involve low-cost financing models or credit facilities in addition to direct financial support," the deal reads.

This will "make life easier for long-suffering commuters," Carney said in Vancouver today.

Last month, the province announced it had cancelled the deal with the design-build consortium contracted to lead the replacement of the eight-lane tunnel. The province insists that decision will not impact the completion date, which is set for 2030. 

B.C. Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth previously said the cost of the project has increased from the initial $4.1 billion, but he did not give a specific new price tag. 

Oil tanker ban 'crucially important' as Ottawa advances pipeline, B.C. Premier tells Carney

B.C. Premier David Eby told Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that project development in his province 'has to go hand-in-hand' with environmental protection, including a moratorium on oil tankers. The two met days after Ottawa and Alberta signed an energy agreement that could see construction of an oil pipeline to the West Coast start as early as September 2027.

British Columbia has signed a multibillion dollar memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ottawa over support for B.C. Resource projects and other priorities. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney are making the announcement in Vancouver.

The deal includes a commitment from Ottawa to keep the North Coast oil tanker ban in place. That will make it harder for Alberta to advance any pipeline routes that run to B.C.'s North Coast. 

Eby has repeatedly said lifting the tanker ban would put B.C.'s pristine coastline at risk of an oil spill, and would jeopardize First Nations' support for other B.C. Resource projects. 

According to the MOU, B.C. Does not have to support an oil pipeline in exchange for these commitments from the federal government. It also commits compensation to B.C. For the environmental risk if a pipeline through B.C. Is approved.

Ottawa will also support the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion in Delta, B.C., a project which will expand the port's shipping capacity by 50 per cent.

The MOU also includes support for the province's steel and softwood lumber industry. Eby has previously said B.C.'s softwood lumber sector has not received the same support as Ontario's auto sector or Quebec's steel and aluminum sector.

Ottawa will also provide support for the North Coast Transmission Line, a proposed 600-megawatt power line spanning from Prince George to Terrace. It would double B.C.'s clean energy capacity and power LNG projects and critical mineral mines.

It also includes commitments on conservation efforts and a carbon pricing deal for B.C.

There are no specific dollar amounts for each aspect of the MOU, but Eby says the deal is worth billions.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney are set to make an announcement Thursday on what the premier's office called "a new multibillion-dollar agreement that will power decades of job growth and prosperity."

The announcement is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. PT.

According to the prime minister's public itinerary, the announcement will focus on "a new co-operative prosperity partnership to build a stronger, more sustainable economy."

The announcement comes the same day that the government of Alberta has said it will announce more details on its proposed "million-barrel-per-day" oil pipeline route through British Columbia to the West Coast, following its July 1 deadline for submitting a proposal to the federal Major Projects Office.

Eby has long indicated his opposition to such a proposal, instead saying Canada should focus on shovel-ready projects already underway in B.C., including new mines and liquefied natural gas projects.

Eby has just returned from a trade trip to China. He left on Saturday and had cut that trip short because of progress on the agreement with Ottawa.

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