EDITORIAL: Carney’s wrong on pipeline law

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Liberal Leader Mark Carney confirmed this week that his party will not repeal Bill C-69 if his party forms the next government. 

The legislation makes the regulatory burden greater and more complicated for new resource projects. It’s been dubbed the “no more pipelines” law and challenged in both the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, both of which ruled it unconstitutional. The Alberta court called it “a constitutional Trojan Horse” and said it “tears apart the constitutional division of power.” The Supreme Court of Canada agreed. 

Carney is “thumbing his nose at the Constitution,” said former Alberta premier and former federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney. 

“Complying with the Constitution isn’t partisan. It’s not ideological. It’s not optional. It’s mandatory,” he posted on X. 

It’s also a foolish policy for this country to pursue. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted a dire warning on X: “Make no mistake. If this law stays, there will be few, if any, large-scale energy infrastructure projects built in this country and Alberta and Saskatchewan will be cut off from international markets. This means Canada will become more vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States.” 

Those living in Eastern Canada should worry because, in order for oil and gas to get to them from the West, it passes through the U.S., so we don’t have control of our own energy supply. If we’ve learned anything over the past few months, it’s that this country has to aim for energy security and self-reliance in all aspects of our economy. 

All those brave words about “Elbows Up” and “Canada Strong” are just hot air and slogans if we’re not prepared to fight for our survival with every weapon at our disposal. 

Carney’s farcical “Net Zero” fantasy is just bunk. It will consign this country to third-world status at a time when our neighbour is promising to “drill, baby, drill!” It steps on provincial toes and is harmful and divisive. 

Canada is blessed with abundant resources. To hobble our economy with legislation that’s been deemed unconstitutional is an act of self-harm to the Canadian economy at a time when we need to be unleashing the full power of our potential.