Poilievre urges PM Carney to rescind northern coast oil tanker ban in B.C.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to immediately repeal the oil tanker ban on British Columbia's northern coast, coming just months after the federal government agreed to maintain the restriction without changes.

Poilievre, joined by several opposition MPs, outlined the demand in a joint letter to Prime Minister Carney ahead of a federal Tory bill set for second reading this week that seeks to overturn the ban. The MPs argue that the prohibition forces Canada to sell its energy products at a steep discount to U.S. refineries, effectively handing over billions of dollars in economic value to the United States.

The letter cites a new project proposal by Calgary-based Strathcona Resources, which aims to transport 250,000 barrels of Canadian crude oil daily to Pacific markets using existing railway corridors through Prince Rupert, B.C. However, advancement on the proposal hinges on lifting or modifying the ban, with the opposition arguing that federal policy remains the single greatest obstacle to the project.

The request challenges an agreement signed in July between Prime Minister Carney and then-B.C. Premier David Eby, in which Ottawa committed to preserving the northern coast tanker ban without alteration, suspension, or scope reduction. Despite the pact, opposition members signaled a willingness to negotiate amendments that would allow the Prince Rupert development to move forward.