QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Natural Resources
Oil Tanker Moratorium
October 9, 2025
Minister, you have described the lifting of the oil tanker ban off the northern coast of British Columbia as “hypothetical.” While Alberta is seeking to build a strategic pipeline project to open access for our resources to Asian markets, even the CEO of Enbridge has said clearly, “No company would build a pipeline to nowhere . . .” as long as this ban remains in place.
How can your government claim to make Canada an energy superpower while blocking every route to the ocean?
I am going to refer to what Premier Smith said: She has never been more optimistic. We’re in a good place.
We have said that to build, you need the support of the jurisdiction you build through and the support of First Nations. The proponent — in this case, the Province of Alberta — must attract that if they want to build. That is between the Province of Alberta and the Province of British Columbia. We have said we will be a constructive participant in that three-way discussion.
The Province of Alberta has some work to do. They said they will bring their proposal in the spring of 2026. Until they bring that proposal in 2026, it’s a hypothetical question, unless some other proponent comes forward before that.
There is an important role for the federal government regarding bills that block progress. With Bill C-69 and Bill C-48, the ambiguity from your government has been costing our provinces, our workers and our economy for 10 years. You say you want to attract investors, yet you maintain regulatory uncertainty that drives them away.
Minister, when will you send a clear message by repealing Bill C-69 and Bill C-48? More importantly, when will you finally deliver on your promise to Canadians: a strong economy capable of standing up to the Americans and truly improving Canadian lives?
I will come back to what I believe is the fundamental issue here. The world is in a different place. Our country is under attack. We need to come together as a country or the Americans will hobble our economy and have us come on bended knee.
We are working hard. As a Canadian, I have never seen this level of unity. I had the privilege of going to Saskatoon for the First Ministers’ conference and saw the uniform view that we must band together to win this trade war for Canadians. We are working hard on that. We’re doing it right now with the Premier of Alberta and the Premier of British Columbia.
