Feds, B.C. leaders clash over pipeline, economy priorities Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby met in Vancouver to discuss B.C.'s economic priorities. They disagreed over Alberta's proposed pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to B.C.'s North Coast, with Eby warning the federal government not to prioritize separatist premiers over the interests of the province. As Prime Minister Mark Carney heads into negotiations with B.C. Premier David Eby over the province’s economic priorities, he cautioned that debate over a contentious new pipeline cannot go on indefinitely. The two leaders held a closed-door meeting in Vancouver on Wednesday, shortly after the Prime Minister spoke at a breakfast for business leaders, where he touted his government’s plans to expand critical minerals mining and liquid natural gas projects in B.C. The Prime Minister also discussed the proposed new pipeline from Alberta’s oil sands to B.C’s North Coast, which has rankled environmentalists and some Indigenous leaders.An agreement signed last week between Ottawa and Alberta would see construction of the project begin as early as next year, despite there being no agreed route and no private proponent. While Ottawa will ‘adjust to what people want’ on the pipeline and other projects, Mr. Carney said his government doesn’t ‘want to hear what people are against, we want to hear what they’re for.’ ‘If things get stalled, we’re going to be spending more time elsewhere in the country because we need to move forward,’ Mr. Carney said. Ottawa’s relationship with Alberta has drawn fire from Mr. Eby, who has complained that Mr. Carney is rewarding Premier Danielle Smith’s government for its ‘bad behaviour’ as it helps to facilitate an upcoming referendum on separation. Canada cannot work if ‘separatist premiers’ get all of Ottawa’s attention, Mr. Eby has said.One of the concerns Mr. Eby raised about the potential pipeline is the federal government’s current North Coast tanker moratorium, which he said must remain in place. That would effectively close off any pipeline route to the province’s northern coast. Speaking before his meeting with Mr. Carney in Vancouver, Mr. Eby urged the Prime Minister to focus more on the critical minerals projects that have already been earmarked for B.C.Mr. Eby said he wants to see ‘a fair share for British Columbia of federal investment that the Prime Minister is committed to for this country and a fair share of federal enthusiasm for the projects that we’re bringing forward. ’ About one third of the projects referred to Ottawa’s Major Projects Office are slated for B.C., including the Red Chris mine expansion in the province’s northwest; the North Coast Transmission Line connecting Prince George to Kitimat and – eventually – Yukon; and the Ksi Lisims LNG project on Pearse Island. Ottawa’s support for the pipeline was given in exchange for Alberta signing an MOU that commits the province to reducing its methane emissions by 75 per cent by 2035.The MOU also requires ‘non-negotiable’ consultations with First Nations affected by the proposed pipeline, the building of the Pathways carbon capture and storage project in Alberta’s oil sands, and the creation of a revised industrial carbon pricing market.‘Ottawa and Edmonton will have significant skin in the game for this market to work,’ Mr. Carney said, adding that negotiations with the other provinces to support that market will take place in the coming weeks. During the morning event at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Mr. Carney also talked about Ottawa’s recently announced plans to double the capacity of Canada’s electricity generation, and efforts to address housing affordability.He referenced recent agreements with the Government of Ontario to eliminate sales tax on some home purchases and cut municipal development fees on new housing construction. The savings could represent almost $200,000 on the purchase price of a home, Mr. Carney said, adding that Ottawa is in early stages of discussions with B.C. on a similar agreement