National

Eby says it's not him blocking Smith's oil pipeline, it's lack of money and proponent

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Jun, 2025 11:36 AM

British Columbia Premier David Eby says it's not him standing in the way of Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith's longed-for oil pipeline from Alberta to B.C.'s north coast — it's that there's no proponent, no money and "no project right now."

It's Eby's latest rebuff to the idea, coming after Smith said on Sunday she could convince him to allow such a pipeline.

Eby says that if Smith succeeds in finding a proponent and funding, and assembles a project, then B.C. "will certainly cross that bridge."

But he says there are already "countless projects" that B.C. could work on with Alberta to create prosperity in Western Canada.

Eby was speaking at a news conference on Monday from Seoul, South Korea, the final stop on a 10-day trade tour through Asia that has also included Japan and Malaysia.

Asked about B.C.'s green light last week for a Prince Rupert gas pipeline, Eby said the province was not "in the business of turning away investments" — but wouldn't speculate whether that applied to an oil pipeline from Alberta.

Eby added that he understands Smith is "keen" on such a project, just as Ontario Premier Doug Ford is "keen on tunnel underneath the 401."

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Weak loonie signals economy is 'in trouble': currency expert

The Bank of Canada's end-of-day exchange rate Monday had the loonie trading at 68.48 cents US, but the Canadian dollar neared 70 cents in the minutes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the planned tariffs would be paused for at least 30 days. The overall trend for the Canadian dollar however has been weak, which has implications for the economy.

Weak loonie signals economy is 'in trouble': currency expert

Interprovincial trade barriers: what they are, why they exist and how to cut them

The Trump administration's on-again, off-again threat to impose damaging tariffs has boosted an old idea for driving economic growth in Canada: eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. Here's a look at how interprovincial trade barriers work and why years of efforts to tear them down them have largely failed.

Interprovincial trade barriers: what they are, why they exist and how to cut them

Trudeau says U.S. tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says "proposed tariffs" between Canada and the United States will be paused for at least 30 days while the countries work together on the border.

Trudeau says U.S. tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days

Canada's forestry sector faces uncertainty with 25 per cent U.S. tariffs

A wide shadow of uncertainty has been cast over Canada's forestry sector by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on its lumber products. Several industry groups have released statements criticizing the tariff as unnecessary and harmful for both sides, a sentiment echoed by British Columbia Premier David Eby who vows full support for the provincial sector.

Canada's forestry sector faces uncertainty with 25 per cent U.S. tariffs

Trump mistaken, U.S. banks can and do operate in Canada says finance professor

A finance professor at the University of Toronto says American banks do operate in Canada despite assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump that they are not allowed to do business in the country. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions lists Amex Bank of Canada, Citibank Canada and J.P. Morgan Bank Canada on Schedule II, all having U.S. parent companies.

Trump mistaken, U.S. banks can and do operate in Canada says finance professor

B.C. critical minerals being diverted away from United States: David Eby

Companies in British Columbia are in the process of redirecting critical minerals and energy products to markets outside the United States, Premier David Eby said, as the reality of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs sets in. Eby noted B.C. has opened new trade offices in Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 18 months.