Some voters say B.C. oil tanker ban must be lifted for national unity. Others warn it will reopen an old fight
The battle over oil tankers off British Columbia’s North Coast is heating up once again as the federal election approaches. Arnie Nagy, a member of the Haida Nation living in Prince Rupert, has been at the forefront of this fight for decades. For him, the stakes are high – it’s about protecting his family’s way of life, the marine environment, and the salmon resources that have sustained coastal communities for generations.
The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, passed in 2019 under Justin Trudeau’s government, prevents tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tonnes of oil from traveling along B.C.’s coastline. However, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has promised to repeal this legislation if elected, arguing that it is hindering Canada’s resource industry and national security.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also put forward demands for the next prime minister, including lifting the tanker ban to avoid a national unity crisis. Proponents of lifting the ban, like Bryan Gould of Aspenleaf Energy, believe that it is necessary to leverage the country’s resources for economic prosperity. They see projects like the Northern Gateway pipeline as crucial for getting Canadian oil to overseas markets.
However, opponents of lifting the ban, like Arnie Nagy and NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, argue that the risks to the marine environment and coastal communities are too great. They point to the failed Northern Gateway pipeline project as an example of the divisions that such projects can create within the country.
As the election approaches, the riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley is shaping up to be a key battleground. While the Conservatives hope to gain ground in B.C.’s North Coast, opposition to oil tankers and pipelines remains strong among Indigenous communities, environmentalists, and local residents. The outcome of the election could determine the future of oil tanker traffic off British Columbia’s coast and the balance between economic development and environmental protection.
