British Columbia Premier David Eby has confirmed that Prime Minister Mark Carney assured him during a recent call that the rumors regarding a potential southern route for an oil pipeline from Alberta did not originate from the Prime Minister’s office. The speculation surfaced following a recent report by The Globe and Mail, citing unnamed federal government sources indicating Ottawa’s inclination towards a southern British Columbia path for the pipeline.
Eby stated that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not discuss this idea with him, and he is only aware of a proposed route to the North Coast, which both the B.C. government and First Nations have strongly opposed. Eby emphasized that supporting such a route is not feasible.
During their discussion, Eby and Carney also addressed Canada’s trade relations with the United States, particularly U.S. discontent with British Columbia and other provinces’ restrictions on American alcohol as negotiations for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) commenced. Eby reiterated that this decision falls within the province’s jurisdiction and will not change until trade issues are resolved.
In a separate statement, Carney highlighted the need for mutually beneficial negotiations with the U.S., emphasizing the importance of concessions from both sides. He pointed out various trade barriers imposed by the U.S. on Canadian products, underscoring the need for fair trade practices.
B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar expressed appreciation for Carney’s acknowledgment of the challenges faced by the softwood lumber industry in trade talks, emphasizing the significance of addressing these issues for British Columbia’s success in the CUSMA negotiations.
The B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association president, Ian Tostenson, voiced concerns about the detrimental impact of the American liquor ban on the hospitality industry in British Columbia. Tostenson suggested that wholesale customers should have the freedom to purchase liquor of any nationality, even if it remains off provincial store shelves.
B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Ravi Kahlon, remained skeptical about the effectiveness of lifting the ban on U.S. liquor in B.C. stores as a solution to trade negotiations. Despite some concessions made by the Canadian government, Kahlon emphasized the lack of reciprocation from the U.S. on key issues like forestry, leading to the province maintaining its stance on the ban until progress is made.