Conservative MPs have signed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging a bill to repeal the north coast oil tanker ban, arguing it forces discounted oil sales to U.S. refineries.
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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to repeal the oil tanker ban on British Columbia’s northern coast, according to a letter signed by Opposition MPs.
The request comes months after Canada agreed not to change the ban, and as a federal Conservative bill to scrap the tanker ban moves to second reading this week.
The MPs said the tanker ban “effectively donates” billions of dollars by forcing Canada to sell discounted oil that profits U.S. refineries.
They pointed to a proposal by Calgary-based Strathcona Resources to ship up to 250,000 barrels of Canadian oil a day on existing railroad tracks through Prince Rupert, B.C., and across the Pacific Ocean.
The MPs said the Prince Rupert project would need the tanker ban lifted and that the federal government is the only obstacle.
The letter said the Opposition would also be willing to discuss amendments to the ban to allow the Prince Rupert plan to proceed.
Carney and then-B.C. Premier David Eby signed an agreement in July that included a commitment by Ottawa to maintain the north coast tanker ban “without alteration, suspension, or narrowing of scope.”
After Carney signed the deal, Alberta formally submitted a pipeline proposal to the major projects office, but with a southern route that would largely follow the existing Trans Mountain pipeline from Bruderheim, Alta., to an export terminal in Delta, B.C.
The letter said lifting the ban would give Alberta and British Columbia “an opportunity to build prosperity together.”
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