A senior Liberal MP is warning that any debate about lifting the federal oil tanker ban off British Columbia's northern coast will be highly contentious, as Ottawa engages in delicate negotiations with the Alberta government.
Coastal Protection Versus Energy Development
Liberal MP Karina Gould, a former cabinet minister in the Trudeau government, told reporters that the oil tanker moratorium was originally implemented due to huge public demand for protecting delicate coastal ecosystems. She made these comments while entering the Liberals' weekly caucus meeting as Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith continue high-level talks about energy policy.
Gould emphasized that the ban, which prohibits oil tanker traffic from Vancouver Island's northernmost point along the BC mainland to the Canada-U.S. boundary with Alaska, was something Canadians have consistently supported over the past decade. The policy was legislated in 2019 following a commitment Justin Trudeau made during the 2015 election campaign.
Alberta's Pipeline Ambitions Face Hurdles
The negotiations between the federal and Alberta governments come as Premier Smith pushes for a new bitumen pipeline from her province to BC's northwest coast. Such a project would require either lifting the federal moratorium entirely or creating a specific carveout from the ban.
Smith has been critical of several federal environmental policies she believes hamper oil and gas development, including both the oil tanker ban and proposed emissions caps. Meanwhile, Carney's government is seeking commitments from Alberta to strengthen its industrial carbon pricing and advance proposed carbon capture and storage projects.
Carney described the discussions as going well during an announcement in BC last week, expressing expectation that an agreement would be reached within the coming weeks.
A National Conversation Required
Gould stressed that any consideration of amending the tanker ban needs to become a national conversation, with particular emphasis on hearing from residents of coastal communities along BC's shoreline.
It was under Trudeau's leadership that the government formally rejected Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline in 2016, which would have run from Alberta to Kitimat, BC. After years of strained relations between Ottawa and Alberta under Trudeau, Carney is attempting to establish a new collaborative path forward.
The high-level talks have involved direct conversations between both leaders, with the anticipated outcome being outlined in a memorandum of understanding currently being negotiated behind closed doors.
Gould concluded that while the conversation about potentially modifying the tanker ban is important, it will undoubtedly be a contentious dialogue given the strong public sentiment around protecting coastal environments and the economic interests at stake.
