For the second time this year, the North Coast Oil Tanker ban has survived a push to have it repealed.
A federal Conservative Bill to abolish it failed on its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday.
They had argued it was the only thing blocking a project to ship 250,000 barrels of oil to Prince Rupert daily by rail.
Premiers from Alberta and Saskatchewan also supported the motion, saying it was needed to unlock Canada’s potential as a global energy superpower.
Rumours of a prefered northern route for a west coast pipeline had put the ban’s future in question this summer.
But maintaining it ended up being a key part of a multi-billion dollar funding agreement with Ottawa, forcing the Pacific Link Pipeline to take a southern route.
It’s since been designated as the major project office’s first project of national interest.
Coastal First Nations helped pass the moratorium in 2019 to protect ecosystems and marine mammals.
But navigating the Hecate Strait’s shallow waters can also be dangerous for large tankers.
