‘Wedge politics’: Eby snaps back against Alberta’s plan to apply for pipeline to B.C. coast

B.C.’s premier is not happy about the Alberta government’s plan to lead an application to build a pipeline to the West Coast.

Premier Danielle Smith, joined by reps from Calgary-based oil and gas company Cenovus Energy, announced the plan at a media event Wednesday afternoon.

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Smith says she’s assembled an advisory group, including Indigenous partners and three major pipeline companies, which she says will help assess and plan an application to the federal government for an oil pipeline proposal.

“This project application is about more than a pipeline; it’s about unlocking Canada’s full economic potential. By doing this the right way from Day 1 with Indigenous partners and industry expertise, we will deliver a proposal that proves this project is undeniably in the national interest,” said Smith.

The province will contribute $14 million to support the proposal, which is expected to be submitted by spring next year.

Smith has been vocal about wanting to build a new pipeline from Alberta to the north coast of B.C. for months.

Eby and Coastal First Nations criticize pipeline proposal

Meanwhile, Premier David Eby has criticized the push.

“There is actually no project here,” Eby said in June, noting no interest from the private sector.

At an unrelated media event Wednesday, Eby repeated the sentiment, saying the proposal is “incredibly alarming to British Columbians, including First Nations along the coast, whose support is required for the success of the billions of dollars in real projects.”

Shortly after Smith’s announcement, Coastal First Nations issued a statement rejecting Alberta’s Premier’s pipeline proposal.

The group fears the project would pose a threat to coastal waters and the environment as a whole.

“As the Rights and Title holders of BC’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii, we must inform Premier Smith once again that there is no support from Coastal First Nations for a pipeline and oil tankers project in our coastal waters,” said Marilyn Slett, President of Coastal First Nations.

We, along with the communities and municipalities of the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii, have fought to keep crude oil tankers out of our territorial waters for over 50 years.”

Instead of the proposed oil pipeline, Slett says that Coastal First Nations stand behind Eby in supporting shovel-ready projects in B.C.

“Oil tankers in our territories are a red line for our Nations,” Slett emphasized.

In July, coastal First Nations issued an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, asking him to reject any new proposal for a crude oil pipeline to the northwest coast.

The group is asking Carney to uphold the 2019 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which prohibits oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude from stopping, loading or unloading at ports or marine installations along the north coast.

It says the act is Canada’s recognition of more than 50 years of effort to protect the north Pacific coast, which includes the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, from the risks of an oil spill.

“If, hypothetically, a [private sector] proponent was ever found. Now that the tanker ban is in place, it is foundational for British Columbians who value our coast. It is foundational for First Nations,” said Eby Wednesday.

He says Smith called him in advance of the announcement, but the two were at an impasse.

“When I’ve said let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, ‘We’ll see what the premier comes up with.’ I’m being polite.”

“There is no project, there is no bridge to cross, unless the Albertan government and the Federal Canadian government are committing billions of taxpayer dollars to build this project. And if that is the plan, then they should be transparent about it.”

“Don’t mistake my politeness for weakness on protecting our economy and our coast.”

Eby says he is instead interested in working with Alberta to develop other major infrastructure projects backed by the private sectors, including in the hydrogen and electrical sectors — so long as they aren’t entirely taxpayer-funded and based in “wedge politics.”

Speaking to media in Calgary Wednesday afternoon, Smith promised that Albertan taxpayers would not be expected to pay for the project itself.

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—With files from The Canadian Press