Conservatives tell government to get out of the way for Keystone XL revival
Conservatives are pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney to remove regulatory obstacles and back a revival of the Keystone XL pipeline, pointing to renewed U.S. interest as a window of opportunity.
Conservatives are pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney to remove regulatory obstacles and back a revival of the Keystone XL pipeline, pointing to renewed U.S. interest as a window of opportunity.
A source familiar with this week’s White House talks told the CBC that Carney and President Donald Trump discussed “priority files” on steel, aluminum and energy cooperation. Carney confirmed energy was on the agenda, but did not name Keystone XL or any specific project.
Trump first signalled renewed intent to reinstate the pipeline in January 2025 when he issued an executive order overturning former President Biden’s cancellation of its permits, prompting industry watchers to say that “the industry and world have moved” since prior regulatory delays.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carney should seize the moment and allow cross-border projects to proceed.
“We are glad to hear President Trump and his administration express renewed interest in the Keystone XL pipeline,” Poilievre said. “Prime Minister Carney should know that he will have the Official Opposition behind him if he does the right thing and gets this crucial project moving.”
The Conservatives’ platform calls for repealing Bill C-69 and the Bill C-48 tanker ban, asserting that those laws have stifled investment and prevented major energy infrastructure projects.
The Conservative proposed Canadian Sovereignty Act would overturn those laws and streamline approvals.
“We have been calling on the Liberals to get out of the way and build pipelines in Canada for over a decade,” Poilievre added. “We need pipelines going west and east to open new markets, protect our sovereignty and give Canadians control over our resources.”
In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Carney said he and Trump agreed to “focus now on steel, aluminum and energy,” calling their meeting “a meeting of minds” on North American economic cooperation.
Speaking to reporters after the Question Period, Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer criticized Carney’s approach as stalling progress.
“Every time this prime minister meets with the Americans, he talks about cooperation but delivers nothing for Canadian workers,” Scheer said. “It’s time to stop blocking projects like Keystone XL and let them get built.”
The Keystone XL pipeline was first proposed in 2008, approved under a Conservative government, and revived under Trump in 2017. On June 9, 2021, it was abandoned by its developer after approximately 8 per cent had been constructed.
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Indeed, more talk and zero action. Eastern Kanada loves their Dear Leader. ALBERTA MUST SEPARATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - and make our own deal with America; and keep the wins from our resources in Alberta, for Albertans. F*** Canada!