'We don’t want to hear what people are against,' Carney tells Vancouver audience after pipeline criticism

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney said there is momentum behind his nation-building agenda after receiving criticism from British Columbia Premier David Eby over the possible construction of a pipeline to his province’s coast.

“What we’re trying to accomplish, and I think we’re really getting momentum now across the country, is we don’t want to hear what people are against, we want to hear what they’re for,” said Carney, during a Q&A in front of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Wednesday.

“And if you’re for something, we will get behind you,” he added.

Last week, Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an “implementation agreement” that underlines the federal government’s support for a one-million-barrel a day pipeline to the B.C. coast.

The agreement also includes several caveats for a pipeline to be approved, including Alberta’s commitment to increase its industrial carbon tax to a headline price of $140 a tonne by 2040 and a reduction of its emissions through the Pathways carbon capture project.

There is still no private proponent for a pipeline, although the agreement has promised fast-tracked regulatory approval by the fall of 2027.

Eby has criticized the deal due to the lack of consultation with B.C. On Tuesday, he also said Alberta is getting special treatment because of separatist sentiment brewing in the province.

During his speech, the prime minister pointed to the number of B.C. projects currently under review in the Major Projects Office.

“We’re getting big things done, 22 nation-building projects and strategies referred to that Major Projects Office,” said Carney. “One-third of those 22 are right here in British Columbia.”

Carney also highlighted the role the West Coast province will play in his government’s economic agenda, including in critical minerals, electricity, artificial intelligence and liquefied natural gas.

“When we master energy, we master our destiny,” he told the business audience.

Carney was asked about the criticism of a possible pipeline within B.C. and how he will navigate that in his conversations with Eby.

Carney said initial conversations with Coastal First Nations and the premier are important, which can lead to an adjustment of what people want. But the prime minister said ultimately, “it’s a big country” and “there’s lots of things going on.”

“If things get stalled here, we’re going to be spending more time elsewhere in the country because we need to move forward,” he said.

Eby and Carney spoke to reporters ahead of their meeting in Vancouver, where both leaders emphasized their priorities.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the prime minister is a friend to British Columbia,” said Eby.

“An important part of friendship is telling each other the truth and part of the truth for British Columbia is that development work we’re doing, of developing the economy, has to go hand in hand with environmental protection for the next generation, including the north coast tanker ban,” added the premier.

Eby added that he and the prime minister have agreed to enter negotiations on “B.C.’s priorities going forward.”

Carney said it’s important to build in the right way, with an emphasis on partnership with First Nations and sustainability.

“There are series of other issues that we will work on that’s part of broader Canadian federalism and cooperation that is critical,” said the prime minister, adding that the discussion will respect the priorities of British Columbia.

“We’re building British Columbia strong, sustainable, for all,” said Carney.

National Post

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