B.C. NDP Leader David Eby said his focus remains on securing investment for British Columbia as debate continues over the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline.
Prime Minister Mark Carney designated Pacific Link a project of national interest Thursday. The proposed pipeline would carry an additional one million barrels of oil per day to the West Coast for export to Asian markets.
Asked whether B.C. had discussed potential pipeline revenues with Ottawa or Alberta, Eby pointed to a federal-provincial agreement announced earlier this year covering infrastructure and economic projects in B.C.
“We went to bat for British Columbia. I went to Ottawa with the Prime Minister, and I brought home $20 billion in investment for BC projects and infrastructure,” he said.
“Ensuring that our projects here in BC get at least as much attention as Alberta’s pipeline project.”
The Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement includes federal commitments toward transportation, energy, mining and port infrastructure while maintaining the federal North Coast oil tanker moratorium.
“My job is to get as much benefit for British Columbia as possible, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Asked about concerns over tanker routes and the possibility shipments could be vulnerable to U.S. interference, Eby said the proposed pipeline faces several hurdles.
He described the pipeline as an Alberta priority and said his focus was on infrastructure within B.C.
“The $20 billion we landed from the federal government to invest in our ports, crucial infrastructure, accessing other markets- that’s where we’re, we’re keeping our focus.”
Eby was also asked about polling during the provincial election campaign.
“There are all kinds of polls are going to happen,” he said.
“The key question for them [voters] is who’s going to support their families in this time when they’re facing a rising cost of living, when there’s big challenges around the threats we’re facing that are showing up in real ways in communities, around employment and jobs, and whether or not the chaos and the cuts of the Conservatives are the approach that they want to take in this time.”
“That’ll be the question at the ballot box and that’s the ultimate poll for British Columbians.”
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