B.C. Liberal MPs say tanker ban changes would need provincial, First Nations consent

B.C. Liberal MPs said Wednesday the tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast can't change without provincial and First Nations consent.

B.C. Liberal MPs said Wednesday the tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast can’t change without provincial and First Nations consent.

The Globe and Mail is reporting that the federal government, which is in talks with Alberta on the prospect of building a new pipeline, is considering allowing some tanker traffic on the northern B.C. coast.

Jonathan Wilkinson, a B.C. Liberal MP and a former federal environment minister, said that “a number of things” would need to happen before the tanker ban could change, including discussions with the B.C. government and coastal First Nations.

“The prime minister was pretty clear that the projects would need the support of the jurisdictions in which they’re being built. So I think there’s got to be some conversations with the premier,” Wilkinson said.

“In terms of First Nations, I mean, there needs to be significant support. It doesn’t necessarily have to be unanimous. It wasn’t in the case of Trans Mountain. But there needs to be significant support and at present I don’t think there is.”

Gurbux Saini, another B.C. Liberal MP, said before Wednesday’s weekly caucus meeting that “there will be no pipeline” unless First Nations and the B.C. government give their consent.

On his way into the caucus meeting, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said he does not want to prejudge the outcome of the talks with Alberta.

Champagne’s response did not rule out the possibility of allowing tanker traffic on the northern B.C. coast.