The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, Dec. 1, edition that B.C. Premier David Eby is open to discussing a new oil pipeline with Alberta and Ottawa, but only if the ban on tanker traffic off his province's northern coast stays in place.
The Globe's Marie Woolf writes that Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a memorandum of understanding last week that may allow an exemption to the north coast tanker ban if a bitumen pipeline is approved.
Mr. Eby has opposed lifting the tanker ban and feels excluded from talks about the agreement. The coastal first nations have condemned it and plan to fight.
"If we can agree that the oil tanker ban is going to stay in place, then let's have those conversations," Mr. Eby said on Sunday.
He said scrapping the ban would be a "grave mistake," adding, "I think that the risk of an oil spill is really significant in terms of the economic harm."
Alberta has long pushed for an oil pipeline to the north coast.
Ms. Smith has repeatedly called on Ottawa to repeal the tanker ban, and her province is now working with several companies on a potential proposal. Ms. Smith has made it clear that her preferred route for a new pipeline would end on the north coast.
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