Eby attacks Smith over West Coast pipeline while insisting it doesn’t exists

B.C. Premier David Eby attacked Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s pipeline proposal on Tuesday, despite repeatedly insisting the project doesn’t exist.

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B.C. Premier David Eby attacked Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s pipeline proposal on Tuesday, despite repeatedly insisting the project doesn’t exist.

Eby accused Smith of exploiting the pipeline for political purposes, warning that Alberta’s push threatens billions in “real projects” already underway in British Columbia.

“The province of B.C., the premier of B.C., is not a threat to the pipeline project of the premier of Alberta because there is no pipeline project,” said Eby, before going on to argue that it would require “tens of billions of dollars of public money” and put B.C.’s coastal developments at risk.

Eby made the remarks just hours after Smith called his opposition “un-Canadian and unconstitutional” during an Ottawa press conference.

The B.C. premier repeated his claim that the project, which he simultaneously called non-existent, would be taxpayer-funded to the tune of billions of dollars.

“Give everybody a fair shot. It’s not the Danielle Smith Show. It’s the Canadian team. And we all deserve the same opportunity for the same federal funding for our projects as she does for hers,” said Eby. “That’s not un-Canadian. That is fair. And there is nothing more Canadian than fairness. That is a core national value.”

Despite Eby’s mixed messages, the Alberta government and its energy officials have been upfront from the moment the project was announced, ensuring that taxpayers would not be on the hook for construction or ownership costs. The Alberta government is investing $14 million in early planning for the project, hoping it will be approved by the Federal Major Projects Office and appear on the second wave of major projects announced by the Grey Cup in November.

Once approved, the Alberta government expects private industry to take over. The government’s current involvement is due to the West Coast tanker ban (Bill C-48), which has previously stifled private investment and eroded confidence.

Eby noted his province is already advancing over $40 billion in private-sector projects, including LNG Canada and port expansions. He described these as “real projects with proponents, with financing” that employ Canadians nationwide.

He said he wouldn’t expect Smith to campaign on their behalf, but Smith is only asking Eby not to obstruct them.

Eby argued the federal government should invest in “real projects” ready to proceed, rather than what he called a taxpayer-funded Alberta initiative.

“I don’t believe it’s ever going to come to fruition because it is too expensive, and the cost of oil is too low, and there is no private proponent for it,” said Eby. “The premier of Alberta struck a Crown corporation, began calling coastal First Nations.”

He said B.C. relies on First Nations for billions of dollars in projects. He added that they began calling him, threatening to review his other projects if he proceeds.

“I have to say ‘enough is enough,’” said Eby. “We need, as a country, less politics and more projects.”

Despite Eby’s false claim, Alberta energy officials clarified in an Oct. 1 media briefing that no Crown corporation exists, nor will there be one.

The B.C. premier was asked about Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe calling B.C.’s coast “Canada’s coast.” Eby repeatedly agreed with Moe, stating the coast is a shared national asset but must be managed responsibly.

However, hours before Eby’s press conference, Moe called him out.

“The Premier of Alberta is right. The NDP Premier of British Columbia is wrong,” said Moe.

Smith has repeatedly called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to repeal the tanker ban, which would be required for this project to proceed. Eby stood by the ban.

“I am not in favour of shipping raw bitumen through our coast by lifting the oil tanker ban and exposing our precious coastal communities,” he said.

Eby also accused the B.C. Conservatives of “having secret conversations with Danielle Smith about trying to get around the tanker ban,” claiming they were undermining his government’s efforts to protect the province’s economy.

“I can’t understand why the conservatives want to destroy our provincial economy,” he said. “But I’ll tell you this — I’m going to stand up for our economy. I’m going to stand up for building our projects.”

The premier concluded by reiterating his belief that British Columbia will continue to lead the country in private investment and low-carbon development.

“Let’s talk about real projects. Let’s deliver those projects. Let’s actually raise our GDP,” said Eby. “B.C. is on board for that. Let’s get going.”