Conservative motion will force Liberals to 'put up or shut up' on oil pipeline support: Poilievre

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party's upcoming motion — which borrows language from the new Canada-Alberta energy agreement — is meant to force the Liberals to "put up or shut up" on whether they support a new oil pipeline to the Pacific coast.

"The only thing that needs to happen for the project to go ahead is for the federal government of Mark Carney to get out of the way. Grant a permit and let the construction begin," Poilievre said in an interview with CBC News on Sunday afternoon.

On Tuesday, the Conservatives will put forward a non-binding motion that will require Liberal MPs to decide whether they support "the construction of one or more pipelines" that can export at least one million barrels a day of Alberta bitumen from a B.C. port to Asian markets.

The motion also mentions "an appropriate adjustment to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, while respecting the duty to consult Indigenous Peoples."

The wording of the motion is similar to the federal government's energy agreement with Alberta that was signed in late November, but it omits the conditions Alberta agreed to in exchange for Ottawa's support, like strengthening its industrial carbon pricing system.

Poilievre said if every Liberal supports his party's motion, then "maybe we can get some shovels in the ground." But if there are detractors, it would mean "there is no commitment" by the Liberal government to actually get a pipeline going.

After the agreement was signed, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said it was "a really great day for the people of Alberta and all of Canada."

When asked whether he feels betrayed by Smith signing on to the agreement, Poilievre said: "No. We want a pipeline to the Pacific. Let’s get it built."

A spokesperson for Liberal House leader Steve MacKinnon told CBC News on Sunday morning said there's "nothing to say on that now," when asked whether a decision has been made on how Liberal MPs will vote on the Conservative motion.

David Coletto, CEO of polling firm Abacus Data, said there are many Liberal MPs who represent regions, such as B.C. and Quebec, that would be affected by a new pipeline or opposed to the idea — which makes the vote tricky for them.

"Regionally, [the motion] puts some members of Parliament in a difficult position. It doesn't mean they will lose the next election because of this, but it certainly might challenge their own values and those of the people they represent," Coletto said.

In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that aired Sunday morning, former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault said he doubts that Smith will make good on Alberta's environmental commitments in the energy agreement.

On Thursday, the Alberta government announced changes to its industrial pricing system, which environmental advocates fear will actually lower the price on carbon.

"I sincerely doubt that Premier Smith has any intention of making good on those commitments, and yesterday's example is one [that] screams volumes about her real intentions," Guilbeault said.