Pacific pipeline is just another Carney illusion, Poilievre says
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, picture at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference on May 7. / TWITTER PHOTO
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of adopting Conservative policies without following through on them, using a keynote speech at the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference on May 7 to criticize the Liberal government’s energy and economic record.
Poilievre argued Carney had merely rebranded the carbon tax rather than eliminating it. “He has not eliminated the carbon tax. He's given it a new name, the Clean Fuel Standard,” Poilievre said, adding that Canada’s industrial carbon pricing system puts the country at a disadvantage compared to other oil-producing nations. He cited comments from Enbridge and Cenovus warning that the policy could undermine future pipeline development to the Pacific Coast.
Throughout his speech, Poilievre said Canada’s vast natural resources should make it one of the world’s wealthiest and most affordable countries. He pointed to Canada’s oil, natural gas, uranium and potash reserves, as well as its strategic access to Asian and European markets through its coastlines.
Despite those advantages, he said Canadians continue to struggle with high housing and grocery costs. Poilievre accused Carney of failing to repeal any “anti-development” laws introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
“He did pass a new law that allows him to go around the old laws, but he's not used that new law to approve a single solitary project,” Poilievre said. He also dismissed the prospect of a Pacific pipeline, saying the project currently has “no route, no permit, no builder, no investor, no start point, no end point, no starting date, no end date.”
Poilievre further criticized Carney for not clearly endorsing a pipeline to the Pacific Coast, which he said could allow Canada to export $30 billion in crude oil overseas annually.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who also addressed the conference, emphasized the need for new energy infrastructure to diversify Canada’s trade relationships and expand exports beyond the United States.
Smith said a pipeline to British Columbia’s West Coast would demonstrate to Albertans “that Canada can work.” She argued Western Canada’s energy strategy should focus on both North-South trade and access to Asian markets.
According to Smith, Canadian natural gas shipped from the West Coast could reach Asia in eight to 10 days — about two weeks faster than U.S. exports routed through the Gulf Coast and Panama Canal. She said that advantage has become an important point in discussions with Asian and European partners.
Smith also highlighted existing export opportunities through the U.S. Gulf Coast, noting that Poland already purchases Canadian gas shipped through American infrastructure. She praised Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s decision to open the province’s natural gas market, saying new drilling projects there could support domestic demand and exports to Europe.
She added that Quebec’s proposed Énergie Saguenay project could create another export route to Europe while reducing Quebec’s dependence on U.S. natural gas.
Smith said cooperation between provinces on pipelines and energy projects could unlock billions in investment and signal a new national approach to resource development after years of tension with Alberta’s oil and gas sector.
On carbon pricing, Smith defended Alberta’s long-standing system, saying it has helped spur investment in carbon capture, geothermal energy, lithium and hydrogen development.
She also stressed the importance of maintaining Canada’s trade relationship with the United States, warning that Canada must remain competitive with U.S. policies to continue attracting investment.
