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Eby said an example of what really “pissed [him] off” was when Saskatchewan potash giant Nutrien decided to build a potash export terminal in the state of Washington instead of B.C.

He said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe could have been working with the western province to keep the export facility in Canada, instead of having “secret talks” with Carney and Smith on the pipeline.

“That’s the one that makes me really unhappy,” Eby said.

In the past, Eby has been more colourful in his remarks about pipelines. Rob Shaw, a reporter from the Vancouver Sun, points out at the news conference that Eby seems less angry and more muted today.

Eby said he understands Carney and Smith each have their own political objectives at play, but said he will take a stronger stance if today’s deal pulls focus from ongoing projects.

“Am I going to be upset with Danielle Smith for advancing what the UCP wants her to do? The prime minister needs to de-escalate with Alberta and find a path forward, and I understand that [too]. The part where I’m going to get my elbows up … is when this conversation about these non-existent projects begins to actively compromise active projects in British Columbia,” he said, near the end of his remarks.

“We cannot afford to lose real projects in the name of politics right now.”

Eby says the province has no plans to file a legal challenge.

"To be blunt, we’ve done that already with the TMX project," he said of the pipeline built by the federal government from Alberta to the West Coast. "We lost in court."

He said it's clear that if it's the government's wish, "they could impose this pipeline on us."

Both the provincial government and First Nations in B.C. Lost separate court challenges years ago trying to stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Eby said he told the prime minister he should sit down and have a meeting with Coastal First Nations, who have been steadfast in their opposition to another pipeline.

Eby repeatedly referenced that the project’s lack of a proponent is a major obstacle, if not an insurmountable one.

“There is not one private company that has stepped up to say, if you build it, we'll buy it … not one,” he said.

Later, he added: “I don’t think one taxpayer dollar should go into this project and I’m glad to see in the agreement that that is a condition, and I think that that is probably fatal to Premier Smith’s proposal.”

“My anxiety about the pipeline proposal that has come from Alberta, that is a key part of the agreement, is that it runs the very significant risk — that has already partially been realized — of taking our eye off the prize.”

The prize Eby is talking about: major resource projects that are already underway, such as LNG projects and critical mineral mines in B.C.

He also those pre-existing major projects already have the support of Coastal First Nations and another pipeline project puts that support at risk.

Eby doubled down on his support for the ban on tanker traffic off B.C.’s North Coast.

B.C. Premier says pipeline a 'distraction' from other projects

B.C. Premier David Eby spoke in Victoria on Thursday in response to Alberta and Ottawa signing a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for a new oil pipeline to B.C.'s coast. Eby referenced the project's lack of proponent, permitting and support from Indigenous communities as key issues.

Eby says he is “anxious” the proposed pipeline will distract from major projects with Indigenous support that are already underway out west. He repeats comments he made last week, saying the new project isn’t grounded in reality because it doesn’t have a proponent or support from coastal First Nations.

"The bottom line for us is that we need to make sure this project doesn't become an energy vampire, with all of the variables that have yet to be fulfilled. No proponent. No route. No money. No First Nations support. That it cannot draw limited federal resources, limited Indigenous governance resources, limited provincial resources, away from the real projects."

He also said “it would’ve been good for B.C. To be at the table,” for discussions between Alberta and Ottawa, “no question about it.”

Had he been at the table, Eby would have asked what measures are in place to respond to a potential oil spill.

Eby is commenting on today’s MOU from the provincial capital. He has been vocal about his opposition to a new pipeline to the West Coast, to say the least, and isn’t expected to deviate from that message today.

We are livestreaming his remarks in the video at the top of this page.

Carney is returning to his message that a pipeline and energy development is needed now because of the U.S. Economic threat.

He says, according to government estimates, U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs will wipe out about $50 billion from the Canadian economy — and the country needs to turbocharge other projects to soften the blow.

Carney says there are two responses to the U.S. Trade war: "hunker down, slash the deficit, turn inward" or "take risks, invest boldly for the future."

He says Alberta's oilsands were created by "dreamers and builders" and the country needs more of them now.

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