Conservative Motion to Repeal Tanker Ban Defeated by Liberals, Other Parties

A Conservative motion to repeal the oil tanker ban on British Columbia’s northern coast failed in the House of Commons on Oct. 28, with the Liberals and other opposition parties voting against it.

Bill C-264 was defeated by a vote of 191–132, with the Liberals, New Democrats, Bloc Québécois, and Green Party voting against. The bill would have removed restrictions on certain oil tanker operations along the northern coast of B.C.

The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, passed in 2019 under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, prohibits vessels carrying more than 12,500 metric tonnes of crude oil or persistent oil products from stopping, loading, or unloading at ports or marine installations within designated waters off northern B.C.’s coast. Smaller shipments and certain non-persistent oil products are exempt.

The Conservative Party has said this ban limits Canada’s ability to expand oil exports through Prince Rupert, while American tankers carrying Alaskan oil continue to operate along the Pacific coast.

The Tories have also pointed to Calgary-based Strathcona Resources’ proposal to ship up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day by rail to an export terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C., which would then be shipped to international markets. The proposal would require the tanker restrictions to be lifted or amended.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith endorsed Bill C-264 on Oct. 26, saying it would “open the door” to crude-by-rail exports through Prince Rupert and give her province another route to global markets. Saskatchewan said the same day that Ottawa should end the tanker ban, as it would drive economic growth in the province.

Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Natural Resources Minister Claude Guay said in May that repealing the tanker ban would remove existing restrictions without assessing the risks of a specific project. He said the government was in favour of possible changes to the law in the context of a particular project, after the risks, economic opportunities, and mitigation measures have been examined.

Ottawa and Alberta have announced a southern route for the new proposed Alberta-B.C. oil pipeline Pacific Link to avoid having to lift the tanker ban.