British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government is rewarding Alberta for “bad behavior” by agreeing to push for a new West Coast bitumen pipeline.
Premier Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an “implementation agreement” to advance a West Coast pipeline at Ottawa’s major projects office by July 1.
The new agreement commits the federal government and Alberta to consulting with BC on the proposed pipeline, and it could be declared in the national interest by the federal government by October, which would speed up the project.
However, Eby said in a statement released Friday that the projects cannot be prioritized in Canada because a prime minister threatens to leave the country, referring to the secession movement in Alberta.
The premier said Ottawa needs to work as closely with BC projects as it does with the Smith Pipeline, a proposal that still lacks a proponent or a pathway.
A statement from the Coastal First Nations advocacy group says its members will never allow an oil pipeline or tanker on B.C.’s North Coast, and notes Friday’s announcement does not increase the chances of that.
“We have heard directly from the Premier and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson that no project and no road will proceed without the support of the affected First Nations and the province in which it is proposed,” said Chief Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations and chief advisor to the Heiltsuk Tribal Council.
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Eby’s statement said “as a country, it is time to stop rewarding bad behaviour” and his government’s opposition to any lifting of the North Coast tanker ban has not changed.
BC has 35 shovel-ready projects that will create more jobs and prosperity for Canada, but they will need more attention and coordination from Ottawa, Eby said.
He said he knows Carney believes he can work with BC in partnership.
“British Columbia is a vital part of Canada. We must work together across federal-provincial lines to build this nation and make it stronger.”
Eby will meet with the prime minister next week and said he will bring a list of projects that can be worked on for the benefit of all Canadians.
“We will find a way forward, together – as Canadians,” his statement said.
BC’s opposition praised the Carney-Smith deal, while accusing Eby of not working for the nation.
Trevor Halford, interim leader of the BC Conservative Party, said in a statement that BC is locked in a nation-building deal that will create jobs and help build the province.
“The prime minister has put himself out of line with the national interest, out of line with our biggest trading partners and out of line with the British Columbians who need these jobs.”
Environmentalists don’t like the deal.
Ecojustice said in a statement that the pipeline deal threatens to accelerate climate risks and damage coastal ecosystems.
Charlie Hatt, climate director for Ecojustice, said Friday’s deal marks another environmental reversal by the Carney government.
“Let’s be clear, Prime Minister Carney’s latest deal — by design — will release more fossil fuels, which means more heat waves, wildfires and floods that put the lives, health and well-being of our communities at risk,” Hatt said.
Criticism also came from the BC Greens, whose leader Emily Lowan said the deal runs counter to the rapid growth of renewables.
“There is no world where a new pipeline is beneficial to working people, economically or environmentally,” Lowan said. “Danielle Smith’s self-interest will only benefit the fossil fuel billionaires who are lining her pockets and funding her latest desperate take on oil dominance. Letting Smith dictate oil policy is like letting a child dictate bedtime.”
&copies 2026 The Canadian Press
