PM Carney Warns B.C. on Pipeline: Move Forward or Funding Goes Elsewhere

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a pointed message to British Columbia on Wednesday: stop stalling on energy projects or federal investment will flow to other provinces.

During a closed-door meeting with B.C. Premier David Eby in Vancouver, Carney made clear that the federal government won't wait indefinitely for provincial decisions on the contentious pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to B.C.'s North Coast. "If things get stalled [in B.C.], we're going to be spending more time elsewhere in the country because we need to move forward," Carney said after addressing business leaders at a breakfast event.

The pressure comes as Ottawa negotiates with multiple provinces over expanding critical minerals mining and liquefied natural gas projects. The pipeline deal, signed last week with Alberta, would allow construction to start as early as next year—despite the absence of an agreed route and a private proponent.

Eby has complained that Carney is rewarding Premier Danielle Smith's government for "bad behaviour" by facilitating the Alberta independence referendum. He's also raised concerns about the federal North Coast tanker moratorium, which effectively blocks pipeline routes to B.C.'s northern ports. Eby has pushed the Prime Minister to focus instead on critical minerals projects already earmarked for the province, including the Red Chris mine expansion, the North Coast Transmission Line, and the Ksi Lisims LNG project.

The federal-provincial tension reflects a broader bargain: Ottawa supports the pipeline in exchange for Alberta's commitment to cut methane emissions by 75 percent by 2035 and build carbon capture infrastructure. But B.C. sees the deal as tilted toward Alberta and wants equivalent federal enthusiasm for its own projects.

Carney's warning signals that patience is limited and provincial foot-dragging carries a cost.