Key Takeaways
- The Conservative party is forcing a vote on a motion that calls for the federal government to support a bitumen pipeline from Alberta to the British Columbia coast.
- The Liberal government will vote against the motion, citing that it ignores critical elements of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the federal government and Alberta.
- The MOU outlines conditions for a new oil pipeline to the Pacific to proceed, including industrial carbon pricing, co-ownership opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, and engagement with British Columbia.
- The Conservative party believes the motion will provide clarity on the Liberal government’s commitment to the pipeline, while the Liberal government sees it as an attempt to divide Canadians.
Introduction to the Pipeline Debate
The Canadian government is set to vote on a motion that could have significant implications for the country’s energy sector. The Conservative party is forcing a vote on a motion that calls for the federal government to support a bitumen pipeline from Alberta to the British Columbia coast. The motion, which is non-binding, explicitly calls for the support of "one or more pipelines enabling the export of at least one million barrels a day of low-emission Alberta bitumen from a strategic deep-water port on the British Columbia coast to Asia markets." However, the Liberal government has announced that it will vote against the motion, citing that it ignores critical elements of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the federal government and Alberta.
The Memorandum of Understanding
The MOU outlines the conditions that need to be met for a new oil pipeline to the Pacific to proceed. These conditions include industrial carbon pricing, co-ownership opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, and engagement with British Columbia. The MOU also calls for the development of the Pathways Project, the world’s largest carbon capture utilization and storage project. In return, the federal Liberals have agreed to suspend the clean electricity regulations in the province, not implement the oil and gas emissions cap, and if required, make an exemption to the federal tanker ban. However, the Conservative party’s motion does not include these measures, which has led the Liberal government to oppose it.
The Conservative Party’s Perspective
According to Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer, the motion is an attempt to provide clarity on the Liberal government’s commitment to the pipeline. Scheer believes that the MOU is ambiguous and that the motion will give Liberals an opportunity to vote for their own MOU. The Conservative party has lifted language directly from the MOU, and Scheer argues that if the Liberals vote in favor of the motion, it would send a signal that they are committed to backing up what they signed on to. However, Scheer also made it clear that the Conservatives would not impose an increased industrial carbon tax on a province, citing that they are "pro-energy" and do not believe that the government should make it harder to get things built.
The Liberal Government’s Response
The Liberal government sees the motion as an attempt to divide Canadians and provoke a reaction. Alberta Liberal MP Corey Hogan called the motion "designed to provoke and to divide" and argued that a "yes or no vote makes the pipeline less likely." Hogan believes that if the motion passes, it might look like the government does not take seriously its requirement to consult with B.C. First Nations, and if it fails, it might look like the government is not serious about the pipeline. The Liberal government has made it clear that it will vote against the motion, citing that it ignores critical elements of the MOU.
The Future of the Pipeline
The future of the pipeline remains uncertain, with the Liberal government’s opposition to the motion likely to kill it. However, the debate highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and the province of Alberta over energy policy. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has called the energy deal with Ottawa "a great day for Alberta," but the Conservative party remains skeptical of the Liberal government’s commitment to the pipeline. As the vote approaches, it remains to be seen how the pipeline will proceed and what implications it will have for the Canadian energy sector. Prime Minister Mark Carney has been clear that a pipeline will not happen without the support from a private proponent, and the Liberal government’s opposition to the motion may make it even more difficult to secure that support.