Canada Strong needs to be ‘more than a slogan’: Poilievre

‘Getting out of the way is all the federal government needs to do to relaunch our entire resource sector and secure our economic sovereignty,’ Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote in a recent National Post op-ed. / SCREENSHOT

The federal government needs to approve a new oil pipeline to Canada’s Pacific coast so that Canada can remain competitive in shifting global energy markets, says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. 

“Our sovereignty hinges on our government getting out of the way and allowing Canada Strong to be more than a slogan,” he wrote in an op-ed in the National Post recently.

Poilievre said the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could lead to a return of Venezuelan oil to U.S. markets, directly competing with Canadian crude. “Its heavy crude is very similar to Alberta’s oilsands,” he wrote, adding that “each Venezuelan barrel the Americans take could therefore be a barrel less they will need from us.”

He called on the government to approve a new pipeline within 60 days of receiving a proposal.

He criticized Carney for stopping short of committing to pipeline approval, noting that the government has only agreed to refer a proposal to the Major Projects Office for further review. Poilievre argued that private investment, labour and resources are already available, saying federal approval is the only remaining barrier. “The only thing missing is a permit. A federal permit,” he wrote.

He also outlined a broader plan, the Canadian Sovereignty Act, which would repeal federal energy and environmental laws, end the industrial carbon tax, scrap the oil and gas cap and remove the electric vehicle mandate.

“Getting out of the way is all the federal government needs to do to relaunch our entire resource sector and secure our economic sovereignty,” he said.