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B.C. Deal with Ottawa keeps North Coast oil tanker ban in place

Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby announced a multibillion-dollar deal for resource projects and other priorities that includes a commitment from Ottawa to keep the North Coast oil tanker ban in place. The deal comes as Alberta is set to unveil more details on its proposed oil pipeline plan.

A new deal between British Columbia and the federal government on Thursday effectively blocked Alberta from proposing a contentious new pipeline to the northern West Coast, while leaving the door open for such a project if it took another route to the Pacific.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a multibillion-dollar resource deal on Thursday morning. As part of that deal, Carney agreed to uphold a ban on tanker traffic off B.C.'s North Coast – which thwarts any pipelines to that area, since tankers wouldn't be allowed to pick up or drop off any oil there.

The deal with B.C. Was announced just hours before Carney travelled to Alberta to make a pipeline announcement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Carney and Smith separately declined to comment on the specifics of the announcement ahead of time, but Smith said at an unrelated news conference that the two governments have reached a "mutually satisfactory" agreement.

Eby reiterated his concerns on Thursday, but appeared to concede to a potential pipeline so long as the North Coast stays protected by the tanker ban.

"This agreement doesn't require us to support any pipeline proposal from Alberta, however, as I've said before, we recognize our constitutional position, and we do not have the authority to stop a new pipeline," Eby said in Vancouver. "We will not be going to court to fight a pipeline project."

Later, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for backing what he described as a "ridiculous" oil tanker ban. Poilievre said Ottawa should approve an Albertan proposal, noting he wasn't personally opposed to a pipeline through southern B.C.

"Provide the permit, let the private sector build it, get out of the way and get it done," Poilievre said in Camrose, Alta.

Some business leaders in B.C. Say they are pleased with the province’s deal with Ottawa to provide billions of dollars in support for infrastructure and resource projects.

“Businesses have been saying we want to get projects built, we want to get the economy moving. And this agreement does provide some of that foundation to do that," said Bridgitte Anderson, CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

Anderson said the federal investments in the Port of Vancouver expansion, critical mineral projects and key clean energy projects solidify B.C.’s role in growing the national economy. 

Richard Masson, an energy consultant and former CEO for the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, said he believes the plans to expand the Port of Vancouver, coupled with Carney’s decision to keep the North Coast tanker ban, point to a southern pipeline route as the best option. 

“Going south follows a corridor where there’s already a great deal of knowledge and a lot of infrastructure to work from," he said.

What is B.C. Getting out of its new deal with Ottawa?

Ottawa and British Columbia have signed a multibillion-dollar deal to boost resource infrastructure while keeping a ban on North Coast oil tankers in place. Under the agreement, B.C. Will receive major federal support for industry and transit, while pledging not to pursue legal challenges against federal pipeline projects. Power & Politics hears from B.C. Premier David Eby.

Eby, who has previously described the proposed pipeline from Alberta as “fictional,” said at this point he doesn’t know if it's fiction, but recognizes how committed both Carney and Smith are to the project. 

But that doesn’t mean he approves. 

“Don’t expect me or members of my government caucus to say we like this project,” Eby said, when asked where he stands ahead of Alberta’s announcement.

He said his priorities now are that B.C. Is “fairly compensated” through any new project and that First Nations are able to participate in a “meaningful way.” 

Eby finished by saying that whatever comes, B.C. Will play its part “as part of Team Canada,” in what was perhaps a nod to the “co-operative federalism” he highlighted during his announcement with Carney earlier today. 

B.C. Deal with Ottawa keeps North Coast oil tanker ban in place

Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby announced a multibillion-dollar deal for resource projects and other priorities that includes a commitment from Ottawa to keep the North Coast oil tanker ban in place. The deal comes as Alberta is set to unveil more details on its proposed oil pipeline plan.

A new deal between British Columbia and the federal government on Thursday effectively blocked Alberta from proposing a contentious new pipeline to the northern West Coast, while leaving the door open for such a project if it took another route to the Pacific.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a multibillion-dollar resource deal on Thursday morning. As part of that deal, Carney agreed to uphold a ban on tanker traffic off B.C.'s North Coast – which thwarts any pipelines to that area, since tankers wouldn't be allowed to pick up or drop off any oil there.

The deal with B.C. Was announced just hours before Carney travelled to Alberta to make a pipeline announcement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Carney and Smith separately declined to comment on the specifics of the announcement ahead of time, but Smith said at an unrelated news conference that the two governments have reached a "mutually satisfactory" agreement.

Eby reiterated his concerns on Thursday, but appeared to concede to a potential pipeline so long as the North Coast stays protected by the tanker ban.

"This agreement doesn't require us to support any pipeline proposal from Alberta, however, as I've said before, we recognize our constitutional position, and we do not have the authority to stop a new pipeline," Eby said in Vancouver. "We will not be going to court to fight a pipeline project."

Later, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for backing what he described as a "ridiculous" oil tanker ban. Poilievre said Ottawa should approve an Albertan proposal, noting he wasn't personally opposed to a pipeline through southern B.C.

"Provide the permit, let the private sector build it, get out of the way and get it done," Poilievre said in Camrose, Alta.

I'm a reporter in Calgary, where Smith was just asked about Alberta's anticipated pipeline proposal during an unrelated press conference.

While she remained mum on details, saying she'll answer more questions during an announcement at 6 p.m. MT, she said both parties have come to a "mutually satisfactory" agreement.

She spoke about the importance of being a reliable supplier for Asian markets, which Smith said are worried about another disruption through the Strait of Hormuz.

The premier also pointed to the prime minister's recent video on Canada's energy future, in which he said the federal government is developing options for an oil pipeline to the West Coast.

"It sounds like we're finally in alignment on that particular issue after 10 years of being at odds and I think that's going to be good for Alberta. It's going to be good for the country. It's going to be good for the world, frankly."

What we still don't know about Alberta's West Coast pipeline plan | Hanomansing Tonight

Alberta is expected to announce new details about its proposed West Coast oil pipeline later this week. Former Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission CEO Richard Masson discusses what's still unclear, including the route and private backing.

A pipeline taking Alberta energy to the B.C. Coast isn't the only new(ish) pipeline in the works.

Canadian company South Bow and U.S. Company Bridger Pipeline are working on a proposal for something called the Prairie Connector, which would use and revive portions of the repeatedly-killed Keystone XL pipeline.

But that pipeline goes south, to the United States. It could send more than half a million additional barrels per day from Alberta headed to Wyoming. A significant majority of Alberta's energy output already goes to the U.S.

"Canadian producers always want to grow, right?" he added.

Canadian politicians from many parties have noted they'd like to see increased exports to non-American markets to diversify Canada's economy away from reliance on the United States.

The expected pipeline announcement heading west is regarded by many in the industry I've spoken to as one of the only ways to facilitate that long-term.

To paraphrase Saturday Night Live: if exporting more energy to Europe and Asia is a fever, the only prescription is more pipeline.

The other major claim Poilievre made today is that there is "no environmental argument against a pipeline to northern B.C. Ports."

Opponents to projects like the one Alberta is discussing with Ottawa have said the risks of a spill are too great to the marine environment of the North Coast, which holds great ecological, environmental and economic value to people in the region.

While we’re still shy on details about any proposed pipeline to B.C.'s North Coast, we can get an indication of what experts have said in the past. 

Research out of Simon Fraser University that examined the cancelled Northern Gateway pipeline project showed there was a 64 per cent chance of a major oil tanker spill of 10,000 barrels or more, even with improved safety standards, over the first 30 years of operation. 

During his news conference, Poilievre said polls show the "vast majority of British Columbians support pipelines from Alberta to the Pacific."

Public opinion polling data gathered by Angus Reid in late 2025 found that among B.C. Residents, support outweighs opposition, with 53 per cent supportive of a pipeline to the province’s North Coast, 37 per cent opposed and 10 per cent unsure. 

There’s also a caveat in the poll worth mentioning. It showed B.C. Is also the province with the highest support for leaving the North Coast tanker ban in place, with 38 per cent in favour of upholding the ban. 

Breaking down the polling by geography shows opposition to a pipeline increases for residents on Vancouver Island and the North Coast, at 44 per cent — although another 48 per cent support the idea.

When asked what he thinks of the agreement between the feds and the B.C. Government to keep the North Coast oil tanker ban in place, Poilievre had a straightforward opinion: "I think the North Coast ban is ridiculous."

"American tankers travel through those same Pacific waters all the time, from Alaska to the U.S. West Coast. 

"So why does Mark Carney believe … carrying American oil from Alaska to California is safe, but it's not safe for us to send Canadian oil over to Asia through the same passage?"

He said it "takes about 36 hours less time to get to Asia from northern B.C. As it does from southern B.C." due to geography and the curvature of the earth — reasons he believes "the best place to put a pipeline is to Prince Rupert or Kitimat."

"We don't want a pipeline that will simply lead tankers to take the oil south down to the California west coast. We're trying to diversify here. So … the best way to diversify is by permitting a pipeline from Alberta, to Prince Rupert or Kitimat, to ship a million barrels a day over to Asia."

He ended by stating his hope that the prime minister will signal his willingness to "grant such a permit today."

B.C. North Coast oil tanker ban is 'ridiculous,' Poilievre says

As the Liberal government agreed to uphold the oil tanker ban on B.C.'s North Coast, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called the moratorium 'ridiculous,' saying that 'the best way to diversity is by permitting a pipeline' to Prince Rupert or Kitimat, B.C.

I was at the news conference in Camrose, Alta., with Poilievre, who said he'd be watching today's pipeline announcements with interest.

He congratulated Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her support for oil and gas in the province, and critiqued Carney's position on the energy sector.

Poilievre’s solution? Simply "get the feds out of the way."

That involves repealing the industrial carbon tax; getting rid of Bill C-69, which overhauled Canada's environmental assessment process; repealing the tanker ban off B.C.'s North Coast; and approving Smith’s pipeline proposal, and getting out of the way to allow it to move forward.

"Build, don’t block pipelines," Poilievre said.

The Conservative leader also said he doesn't think the carbon-capture Pathways Project should be a condition for a pipeline to the West Coast.

The proposed $16.5-billion megaproject, spearheaded by Canada’s largest oilsands producers, aims to capture industrial emissions in northern Alberta and permanently store them deep underground to achieve net-zero targets.

It would be the world's largest carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project, capable of capturing up to 16 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2045.

"I'll have more to say when I see what [the feds] propose, but I will make one thing very clear: for the federal government to force Alberta to spend billions of dollars on this project as a condition of building a highly productive and profitable pipeline is unfair."

One of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's key promises during the 2025 federal election campaign was to lift the tanker ban, arguing it was an issue of national security in the face of economic threats from the U.S.

In 2025, a Conservative MP, Ellis Ross, was elected in Skeena-Bulkley Valley for the first time in the history of the riding, which spans the North Coast, Haida Gwaii and northwest inland B.C. 

That, along with the boon of other major projects proposed for the northwest, could signal a changing tide. 

There are five marquee projects being platformed by the province and Ottawa in the region, including Ksi Lisims LNG, LNG Canada Phase 2, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, the Red Chris Mine expansion and the North Coast Transmission Line. 

"Most Canadians are very much in favour of us getting more value out of our resources and being able to ship them elsewhere," he said ahead of today;s announcement. 

"There's obviously a lot of consultation that has to go on for whatever route they choose, but if it looks like something is starting to move, I'm very much in favour of seeing that." 

Kitimat is highly receptive to exploring future opportunities, he added. 

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