B.C. shuts down reported pipeline deal between Alberta and Ottawa

The provincial government is holding firm after a new report suggested Alberta and Ottawa are close to an agreement on a new pipeline to B.C.’s North Coast.

The Globe and Mail reported Wednesday that the federal government is considering allowing limited tanker traffic on the northern coast as part of a potential memorandum of understanding with Alberta.

The move would require revisiting Canada’s northern tanker ban, a federal law restricting large crude carriers from travelling along B.C.’s remote coastline.

B.C. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon says the province hasn’t been consulted.

“I’m not aware of that,” Kahlon said Wednesday.

“Certainly I haven’t had any conversations with the federal government on this,” he added, noting the “topic did not come up” in recent meetings with federal ministers.

Kahlon says B.C.’s position remains unchanged and points to Coastal First Nations, who have also opposed a new pipeline.

“The Premier has been very clear to Ottawa. Coastal First Nations have been pretty clear to Ottawa.”

He also criticized the renewed pipeline narrative, saying the federal government should be focused on major projects already underway in B.C.

“Having discussions about a hypothetical project that has no private sector or proponent at this time, it actually distracts from all the good work we could be doing together.”

Alberta committed $14 million to regulatory work

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government committed $14 million last month to early regulatory work in hopes of attracting a company to take on the project and First Nations to take ownership stakes.

She has said finding a proponent would be easier if Alberta and Ottawa struck a deal.

Federal Liberal MPs also offered clarity on Wednesday, saying any change to the tanker ban cannot happen without B.C. and First Nations consent.

Jonathan Wilkinson, a B.C. Liberal MP and former federal environment minister said “a number of things” would need to happen before the ban could change — including formal discussions with the province and Coastal First Nations.

“The prime minister was pretty clear that the projects would need the support of the jurisdictions in which they’re being built,” Wilkinson said.

“In terms of First Nations… there needs to be significant support… and at present I don’t think there is.”

Alberta’s premier’s office said in a statement Wednesday it is in the final stages of discussions with Ottawa and “will have more to say soon.”

With files from the Canadian Press.