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MOU keeps oil tanker ban, includes steel and softwood lumber supports
B.C. Premier David Eby told Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that project development in his province ‘has to go hand-in-hand’ with environmental protection, including a moratorium on oil tankers. The two met days after Ottawa and Alberta signed an energy agreement that could see construction of an oil pipeline to the West Coast start as early as September 2027.
British Columbia has signed a multibillion dollar memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ottawa over support for B.C. resource projects and other priorities. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney are making the announcement in Vancouver.
The deal includes a commitment from Ottawa to keep the North Coast oil tanker ban in place. That will make it harder for Alberta to advance any pipeline routes that run to B.C.’s North Coast.
Eby has repeatedly said lifting the tanker ban would put B.C.’s pristine coastline at risk of an oil spill, and would jeopardize First Nations’ support for other B.C. resource projects.
According to the MOU, B.C. does not have to support an oil pipeline in exchange for these commitments from the federal government. It also commits compensation to B.C. for the environmental risk if a pipeline through B.C. is approved.
Ottawa will also support the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion in Delta, B.C., a project which will expand the port’s shipping capacity by 50 per cent.
The MOU also includes support for the province’s steel and softwood lumber industry. Eby has previously said B.C.’s softwood lumber sector has not received the same support as Ontario’s auto sector or Quebec’s steel and aluminum sector.
Ottawa will also provide support for the North Coast Transmission Line, a proposed 600-megawatt power line spanning from Prince George to Terrace. It would double B.C.’s clean energy capacity and power LNG projects and critical mineral mines.
It also includes commitments on conservation efforts and a carbon pricing deal for B.C.
There are no specific dollar amounts for each aspect of the MOU, but Eby says the deal is worth billions.
