Latest updates: Proposed pipeline through B.C. cant distract from provinces other projects, Eby says

B.C. premier says pipeline a ‘distraction’ from other projectsB.C. Premier David Eby spoke in Victoria on Thursday in response to Alberta and Ottawa signing a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for a new oil pipeline to B.C.’s coast. Eby referenced the project’s lack of proponent, permitting and support from Indigenous communities as key issues. The LatestPoliticians across the country are responding to a new energy deal between Ottawa and Alberta.The memorandum of understanding gives Alberta special exemptions from federal environmental laws and offers political support for a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast.B.C. Premier David Eby says he is “anxious” the proposed pipeline will distract from major projects with Indigenous support that are already underway out west.Eby criticized the fact that the deal also opens the door for changes to a law that bans tanker traffic off B.C.’s North Coast.Meanwhile, Steven Guilbeault is resigning from Carney’s cabinet over his disagreement with the MOU but will stay on as an MP.November 272 minutes agoHaisla Nation calls MOU a ‘major step back’ in Crown-Indigenous relations Sarah PetzWhy the Haisla Nation opposes a pipeline to B.C.’s coastAlberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney have signed a deal, paving the way for a pipeline to B.C.’s northern coast. But B.C.’s government, Haisla Nation and other coastal Indigenous communities, say they don’t want it.Elected Haisla Chief Maureen Nyce says her community is very disappointed that the federal government has committed to this agreement.Nyce said the MOU declares the project is of national interest “without any engagement whatsoever with Indigenous people across the province or along the coast,” she told CBC News Network. “They’ve taken a major step back, in my opinion, in terms of the relationship with First Nations with this announcement.”11 minutes ago‘The answer is no’: Union of B.C. Indian ChiefsSamantha SchwientekGrand Chief Stewart Phillip during a news conference in May. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)In its own statement, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) said it is “loudly objecting” to the MOU, noting that it was done without involvement from coastal First Nations in the province. They said the agreement does not meet the requirements around the duty to consult that are outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.“The answer is still no and always will be,” said UBCIC Grand Chief Stewart Phillip in a statement.Phillip also said lifting the ban on crude oil tankers in the region amounted to bulldozing First Nation rights.39 minutes agoMay pitches Green Party to GuilbeaultSarah PetzMay calls on Steven Guilbeault to join Green PartyGreen Party Leader Elizabeth May is calling on Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault to join her party after learning he’s leaving his post in cabinet. Guilbeault quit cabinet over the memorandum of understanding with Alberta signed earlier in the day. Guilbeault, a longtime environmentalist, was the country’s minister of environment and climate change for four years under Justin Trudeau. Meanwhile, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is making her pitch to Guilbeault to join her party. May said Guilbeault leaving cabinet “dashes the last hope that Mark Carney is going to have a good climate record ever.” “So Steven Guilbeault has given up on Mark Carney. Don’t give up on democracy, don’t give up on climate action. Join us, now’s the time.” 41 minutes agoRhianna SchmunkHodgson is flying to B.C. tonight to meet with his counterpart, B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix, and the premier about today’s deal. “We’re going to see what we can do,” Hodgson said.46 minutes ago’We need to take a deep breath,’ energy minister saysSarah PetzAsked about concerns over the lack of Indigenous consultation and rollback of environmental regulations, Hodgson said the agreement doesn’t mean a pipeline is going to be built imminently, but lays out a path for how officials will work together to advance projects “We need to take a deep breath. There is no pipeline yet,” Hodson said.“There is no proposed route yet. The consultations that would need to happen have not yet occurred.”1 hour agoRhianna SchmunkEnergy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson spoke about Guilbeault on CBC’s Power & Politics just now, after watching footage of the Alberta legislature applauding Guilbeault’s decision to leave cabinet.”Steven is a good friend, someone I respect deeply. He’s been a very good cabinet minister and has done amazing, good things for Canada,” he said.”I think we can all respect Minister Guilbeault as somebody who’s dedicated his life for the betterment of Canada. He believes in this country. He’s been a great colleague and a friend and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”1 hour agoA walking anti-pipeline symbol goneJason MarkusoffGuilbeault on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)Guilbeault’s resignation adds even more lustre to a good news day for Smith. The environmentalist-turned minister was long a thorn in the oil-producing province’s side, and a routine subject of scorn — a walking symbol, to them, of the Liberal government’s distaste for more western energy production and pipelines.Even after he moved out of the environment portfolio and into heritage, Smith and United Conservatives continued to verbally spar with him over the merits of pipelines. Guilbeault remained a public voice on climate and energy issues, even while on a largely unrelated job — and Smith remained aware that he’d still carry influence over her province’s economic interests as long as he had a place at the prime minister’s cabinet table.1 hour agoSarah PetzGuilbeault says he believes the proposal to exempt Alberta from clean electricity regulations in exchange for stricter industrial carbon pricing rules and the Pathways project is “a serious mistake.”“We cannot hope to decarbonize our economy without decarbonizing the electricity sector,” he wrote.Guilbeault says that an analysis submitted to the House of Commons shows that without these regulations, the electricity sector would “return to an upward emissions trajectory.”“This regulation also saves lives by reducing air pollution, generates over $3 billion in health-care savings and ultimately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 182 million tonnes,” he wrote. 1 hour agoSarah PetzGuilbeault’s statement outlines his various concerns with the agreement, including the lack of consultation with Indigenous groups or with the B.C. government. He says a pipeline to the West Coast would have “major environmental impacts,” including contributing to a significant increase in climate pollution and moving Canada further away from its greenhouse gas reduction targets. He also raises concerns that lifting the tanker ban on B.C.’s North Coast could increase the risk of accidents in the region and hinder the creation of a marine conservation area in the Great Bear Sea. 1 hour agoGuilbeault calls MOU ‘a serious mistake’ Sarah PetzIn a statement posted to X, Guilbeault said that while he understands Carney’s “efforts to ensure our country remains united and that all regions feel they have a voice,” he believes environmental issues “must remain front and centre.”“That is why I strongly opposed the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the government of Alberta,” his statement said. This afternoon, I informed the Prime Minister of my decision to resign as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec. You can find my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/6s7HhdXaLO—s_guilbeault