VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Greens are calling on the Federal Government to respect Coastal First Nations and Northern B.C. communities in their opposition to a pipeline.
“What year is this—really? A decade after the Trans Mountain Pipeline disaster and billions in taxpayer dollars wasted, we’re walking the same tired path again,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “Whatever environmental concessions the Prime Minister has gotten from Alberta is a farce risking BC’s precious coastline. This pipeline MOU is nothing more than a lifeline to the few supporters the Premier of Alberta has left, still clinging to the nostalgia of Lougheed’s era.”
Premier Smith—a former tobacco lobbyist who once argued cigarettes carried health benefits—has never acted in the best interests of her constituents or Canadians. That same lack of concern is clear here. And now we see an equally absurd proposition from the Carney government, packaged as a nation-building project.
The irony is impossible to miss: Carney, the former UN Special Envoy on Climate Action, is now entertaining a pipeline expansion that runs directly counter to the urgent climate leadership he used to champion.
“This is a failure of vision. Real nation-building brings people in; it doesn’t bulldoze past them. So who exactly is this nation-building for? Certainly not the First Nations on the North Coast, who have been unequivocal in their opposition,” added Botterell. “
“The BC Greens stand with the First Nations who oppose this project. The BC government must not bend on this issue and must stand with First Nations,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. “Just yesterday, the CleanBC Review was released making clear that our climate responsibilities and fossil fuels cannot co-exist.”
“The reality of this proposed pipeline is two-fold: the waters on the North Coast of British Columbia are some of the most dangerous in the world—it’s simply reckless to ship heavy oil through them and along a pristine coastline of such economic and cultural significance amid record-breaking wildfires, drought, and climate instability, talks of a new oil pipeline in BC are completely out of step with today’s global environmental and economic realities,” added Valeriote.
“This MOU is a hail mary because the federal government and Albertan government know there’s no private proponent lining up to bankroll a pipeline and it’s Canadians who will be left holding the bag. Premier Eby must get to the table and argue in the best interest of British Columbians and progress real nation building projects in the renewable energy sector.”
Now more than ever, British Columbians need bold leadership that doesn’t cave to status quo politics. A new crude oil pipeline isn’t just economically absurd—it’s irresponsible. Crude oil demand is going extinct. The BC Greens are calling on the BC government to hold firm, start focusing on what matters to communities and leave dead-end projects in the past.
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Media contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca