B.C. Liberal MPs say tanker ban changes would need provincial, First Nations consent

OTTAWA – B.C. Liberal MPs said Wednesday the tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast can’t change without provincial and First Nations consent.

The Globe and Mail is reporting that the federal government, which is in talks with Alberta on the prospect of building a new pipeline, is considering allowing some tanker traffic on the northern B.C. coast.

Jonathan Wilkinson, a B.C. Liberal MP and a former federal environment minister, said that “a number of things” would need to happen before the tanker ban could change, including discussions with the B.C. government and coastal First Nations.

“The prime minister was pretty clear that the projects would need the support of the jurisdictions in which they’re being built. So I think there’s got to be some conversations with the premier,” Wilkinson said.

“In terms of First Nations, I mean, there needs to be significant support. It doesn’t necessarily have to be unanimous. It wasn’t in the case of Trans Mountain. But there needs to be significant support and at present I don’t think there is.”

Gurbux Saini, another B.C. Liberal MP, said before Wednesday’s weekly caucus meeting that “there will be no pipeline” unless First Nations and the B.C. government give their consent.

On his way into the caucus meeting, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said he does not want to prejudge the outcome of the talks with Alberta.

Champagne’s response did not rule out the possibility of allowing tanker traffic on the northern B.C. coast.

“Canadians understand now the nexus between energy security, economic security and national security. I think people understand we live in a different world and I’m sure that with technology you can do that in a very responsible way,” Champagne said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office said in a media statement Wednesday that it is in the final stages of a pipeline deal with Ottawa and “will have more to say soon.”

Smith has said that finding a company to spearhead a new pipeline would be easier if Alberta and Ottawa strike a deal.

Her United Conservative Party government earmarked $14 million last month to fund early regulatory work in hopes of attracting a private investor to take over as a proponent and First Nations to take ownership stakes.

In Ottawa, Alberta Liberal MP Corey Hogan called for a national conversation on resource development.

“So that’s what the prime minister and the premier of Alberta are talking about, is getting to an understanding on all of those things and making sure that we can grow our energy sector while also still being environmental stewards and getting to our net-zero goals,” Hogan said Wednesday.

Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin did not stop for questions on her way into Wednesday’s caucus meeting. Natural Resource Minister Tim Hodgson did not take questions on his way out of the meeting.

A statement from Hodgson’s office said his position on the future of the oil tanker ban has not changed. At press conferences and during several media interviews over the last month, Hodgson has said that questions about lifting the oil tanker ban are “hypothetical” because no pipeline is up for approval.

Ellis Ross, the B.C. Conservative MP whose riding includes the Port of Prince Rupert, said the talk of changes to the oil tanker ban is “interesting.”

“Canada has the constitutional authority to do this, and it’s quite interesting that the province of B.C. seems to feel they’re exempt from the constitutional accommodation duties of First Nations,” Ross said prior to question period Wednesday.

“If this project does take hold, there’s permits that B.C. will have to address, and so they’ll have to consult and accommodate First Nations as well.”

Ross said that while he hasn’t heard much discussion in his riding about the future of the tanker ban, that likely would change if a project description is filed with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

B.C. Premier David Eby has been highly critical of Alberta’s push to build a new pipeline to the coast and has pointed out there is no private sector proponent for the project.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he hopes Alberta and Ottawa can come to an agreement on a pipeline and allowing tankers on the coast, as it would benefit his province.

“We’d like to expand, for example, our potash exports over the next number of years. We want to grow more agricultural products, as well as expand our market access for oil,” Moe told reporters in Regina.

“That’s not in any way to (say) it’s going to be a free-for-all for tankers on the West Coast. It’s fully within reason to think that there would be work … so that there is a minimal impact to the environment.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov 19. 2025.