VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed strong disapproval regarding the exclusion of his province from discussions about a potential pipeline between Alberta and Saskatchewan and the federal government. Eby stated he conveyed to Prime Minister Mark Carney that it is "unacceptable" for Alberta and Saskatchewan to engage in talks without B.C.'s involvement. He emphasized that such treatment would not be tolerated for any other province and insisted that Ottawa must include B.C. and Coastal First Nations as full participants in future negotiations.

Eby’s remarks come as reports indicate that the federal government and Alberta are nearing completion of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that may involve a pipeline extending from Alberta to B.C.'s northern coast. This agreement could also include exceptions to the current ban on tankers operating off the coast.

While Eby did not specify what actions his government might take to oppose the pipeline, he previously warned that it could jeopardize thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in projects reliant on the consensus of First Nations. He remarked that he is "not threatened by a project that doesn’t actually exist," pointing out that there is no established route or private-sector funding backing the pipeline proposal.

Eby characterized the proposal from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as a "communication exercise" and stated he would withhold further comments on the MOU until he has reviewed its contents. In response to Eby’s concerns, Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson assured that the federal government plans to engage with B.C. "in short order." He noted that B.C. stands to benefit from having more projects than any other province on Ottawa’s list of major initiatives under consideration for expedited approval.