'They cannot block it': B.C. says it was not included in rumoured pipeline talks between Ottawa and Alberta

'Real jobs and prosperity are put at risk from this extremely early stage and unfunded proposal of a heavy oil pipeline. That’s something that B.C. and Canada cannot afford at this time.' — David Eby

The B.C. government says it knows nothing about a rumoured deal between Ottawa and Alberta on a pipeline to B.C.’s north coast, with Premier David Eby telling reporters he learned about the negotiations through a news article.

In a statement Thursday, the premier said it is his understanding that First Nations in the region have also not been consulted by the federal government and that he would prefer to focus on projects like the Ksi Lisims LNG terminal and the North Coast hydro transmission line that have already been added to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s major projects list.

“Real jobs