Conservative Leader Pierre Poilevre announced that his party will introduce a motion aimed at compelling Liberal MPs to clarify their stance on a proposed oil pipeline to the Pacific coast. The motion, set to be presented on Tuesday, draws language from the recent Canada-Alberta energy agreement. Poilevre stated that the motion is designed to make the Liberals "put up or shut up" regarding their support for the pipeline project.

In an interview, Poilevre emphasized that the federal government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, needs to facilitate the project. "The only thing that needs to happen for the project to go ahead is for the federal government of Mark Carney to get out of the way. Grant a permit and let the construction begin," he said.

The Conservative motion is non-binding and will require Liberal MPs to vote on whether they support the construction of one or more pipelines capable of exporting at least one million barrels of Alberta bitumen daily from a British Columbia port to Asian markets. It also calls for adjustments to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act while ensuring the duty to consult Indigenous Peoples is respected.

The wording of the motion closely resembles the federal government's energy agreement with Alberta, signed in late November, but it does not include the conditions Alberta accepted for Ottawa's backing, such as enhancing its industrial carbon pricing system.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith praised the agreement, calling it "Alberta's moment of opportunity" to position Canada as an energy superpower. Poilevre expressed hope that if all Liberal MPs support the motion, it could lead to actual construction. However, he warned that dissent among Liberal members would indicate a lack of commitment to advancing the pipeline project.

Liberal House leader Steve MacKinnon's office declined to comment on how Liberal MPs might vote on the motion. David Coletto, CEO of polling firm Abacus Data, noted that many Liberal MPs represent regions that may oppose the pipeline, complicating their voting decision. "Regionally, [the motion] puts some members of Parliament in a difficult position," Coletto said.

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault expressed skepticism about Alberta's commitment to environmental standards in the energy agreement. He stated, "I sincerely doubt that Premier Smith has any intention of making good on those commitments." Alberta's Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz defended recent changes to the province's industrial pricing system, asserting that they were planned prior to the agreement with the federal government.

On social media, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin reiterated that Alberta committed to raising its effective carbon credit price significantly and other climate measures to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The prime minister is also facing pressure from First Nations leaders regarding the Alberta agreement. The Assembly of First Nations chiefs voted unanimously to demand the withdrawal of the deal, with Chief Donald Edgars stating, "A pipeline to B.C.'s coast is nothing but a pipe dream."

Prime Minister Carney assured First Nations leaders that his government would collaborate with them on any potential pipeline projects. Stephen Buffalo, president and CEO of the Indian Resource Council, highlighted the need for a balance between environmental protection and economic development opportunities.

Poilevre acknowledged the importance of consulting with First Nations but criticized the timing of those consultations, stating, "But if Mark Carney actually wanted to get anything built, he would have begun those consultations in May, the month after the election."