Eby says Ottawa is rewarding Alberta's 'bad behaviour' with pipeline agreement

Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government is rewarding Alberta for “bad behaviour” by agreeing to push for a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an “implementation agreement” to advance a West Coast pipeline to Ottawa’s major projects office by July 1.

The new agreement commits both the federal government and Alberta to consult B.C. on the proposed pipeline, and it could be declared in the national interested by the federal government by October, which would expedite the project.

However, Eby says in a statement that it can’t be the case that projects get prioritized in Canada because a premier threatens to leave the country, referring to the separation movement in Alberta.

The premier says Ottawa must work as closely with B.C. projects as it does with Smith’s pipeline, a proposal that still lacks a proponent or a route.

A statement from the Coastal First Nations advocacy group says its members will never allow a pipeline or oil tankers to the North Coast of B.C., and notes that Friday’s announcement doesn’t increase the chances of that.

“We have heard directly from the prime minister and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson that no project, and no route, will proceed without the support of affected First Nations and the province in which it is proposed,” says Chief Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations and chief councillor of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council.

Eby’s statement says that “as a country, it’s time to stop rewarding bad behaviour,” and his government’s opposition to any repeal of the North Coast tanker ban has not changed.

B.C. has 35 shovel-ready projects that will create more jobs and prosperity for Canada, but they will need more attention and co-ordination from Ottawa, Eby says.

He says he knows Carney believes he can work with the B.C. in partnership.

“British Columbia is a vital part of Canada. We must work together across federal-provincial lines to build this nation and to strengthen it.”

Eby is due to meet with the prime minister next week and says he will bring a list of projects that can be worked on for the benefit of all Canadians.

“We will find a path forward, together — as Canadians,” his statement says

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press