B.C’s Opposition Conservatives have been talking with Alberta about pipeline: Rustad

There is growing frustration in B.C.'s NDP government and among Indigenous leaders over Alberta's push for a new oil pipeline.

The leader of British Columbia’s Official Opposition says his party has been talking with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith about her plans to build a pipeline to B.C.’s northern coast.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad says he has “of course been talking” with Smith about the proposed pipeline, adding he has also been talking with Saskatchewan and “all kinds of people” about the proposal.

“We need to fight for Canada,” Rustad said. “That is what we are doing as Conservatives.”

Rustad’s comments came after Premier David Eby said the provincial Conservatives have been engaging in what Eby called “secret conversations” with Alberta.

However, Rustad told media at the legislature that it’s not a secret and he has “of course” talked with Alberta and Saskatchewan premiers about the pipeline.

A report in the Globe and Mail newspaper this week said the federal and Alberta governments were close to signing a memorandum of understanding on a new pipeline, which would allow some tanker traffic on the northern B.C. coast.

While Rustad said he has not been involved in the MOU, he supports Alberta’s plans to get its oil to markets other than the United States, and get full value for it.

“Yes, there will be benefits to Alberta, but there are also benefits that go to every province from this, as well as to the federal government,” he said.

Rustad said B.C.’s coast is also Canada’s coast, and it’s time for Eby to work with other premiers.

Eby has repeatedly said that the pipeline, coupled with lifting the tanker ban, would undermine the “fragile” consensus among First Nations for other resource projects in northwestern B.C.

In a statement issued Thursday, Eby says that the “unfunded proposal of a heavy oil pipeline” would put real jobs and prosperity at risk.

The northern coast is “not only precious,” but also “an economic driver that will provide a lifeline” for Canada, the statement said.

Four projects have been singled out by the federal government as so-called nation building projects, including the North Coast Transmission Line and Ksi Lisims LNG project announced last week.

“These projects represent tens of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs and rely on the support and consent of First Nations along our coast,” the premier said.

Rustad said Eby is exaggerating the opposition among First Nations.

“I think he is fearmongering, quite frankly, on this, and I’m hoping, quite frankly, that as this MOU comes forward, his bluff will be called.”

In fact, he said it would have “significant” First Nation support.

While Rustad acknowledged that the project will face opposition, not every project needs support from all 200-plus First Nations in the province.

Rustad noted that B.C. lacks authority to block any future pipeline, as it falls under federal jurisdiction by virtue of crossing provincial borders.

The government can use every tool in the tool box, like they tried with the Trans Mountain pipeline, he said.

“They can create delays. They can do all kinds of really nasty things, which is what this government seems to want to always do when it comes to prosperity.”

B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon said Wednesday that federal government should instead increase the capacity of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline.

But when asked on Thursday if increasing capacity for the Trans Mountain pipeline would satisfy her government, Smith said that wouldn’t be good enough.

“The world is going to need more oil,” Smith said, pointing to potential projects that could expand capacity in both Eastern and Western Canada.

“I think that what we’re seeing is that there’s a change in the public dialogue about the need for oil and natural gas,” said Smith.

She said her government is close to a memorandum of understanding with Ottawa on the pipeline, and she remains hopeful as negotiations continue over federal policy affecting the oil and gas industry.

The question of B.C.’s lack of support for the pipeline also spilled into Thursday’s question period in the legislature.

After B.C. Conservative Peter Milobar had listed off several issues where government had reversed its position, he said that the premier should save everybody “two weeks of theatre” by just admitting that B.C. needs a northern pipeline and the tanker ban lifted.

This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published Nov. 20, 2025.