Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is pushing back against what he calls a “fake provincial veto” that he says is being used to delay or block an Alberta pipeline project.
In a statement Thursday, Poilievre argued that the federal government — and not provincial premiers — holds sole constitutional authority over interprovincial infrastructure. He cited Section 92.10(a) of the Constitution, which places such projects under exclusive federal jurisdiction.
The comments come after Alberta announced its plan to propose a new pipeline to transport resources to market. In response, federal officials suggested British Columbia’s approval would be required for the project to proceed — a claim Poilievre says contradicts both legal precedent and public sentiment.
He also pointed to remarks from Dawn Farrell, head of the federal Major Projects Office, who stated there is no provincial veto over pipelines that cross borders.
Despite that, a federal minister told the Senate the pipeline would require mutual approval from Alberta and B.C. Poilievre says that position undermines national unity and economic growth.
Polling data cited by Poilievre shows 56 percent of British Columbians and 59 percent of Canadians support the proposed pipeline.
He argues the country needs to prioritize national infrastructure and energy independence over what he describes as political roadblocks.
“At a time when regional divides are growing,” he said, “we need to unite behind projects that deliver paycheques and prosperity for all Canadians.”
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