Politics · Canada · 6 hrs ago
Liberals vote to keep B.C. North Coast tanker ban in place
Liberal MPs defeated a bill to repeal the tanker ban in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The ban covers parts of British Columbia’s northern coast and bars tankers from carrying more than 12,500 metric tonnes of crude oil there.
Conservatives supported the bill, while MPs voted along party lines at its second reading.
They argued that removing the ban could help a company ship up to 250,000 barrels of Canadian oil a day by rail to Prince Rupert for export.
The proposed pipeline route is planned to go south after Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. agreed to keep the ban in place.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith backed repealing the ban, saying it could help Canada sell more energy abroad and secure better prices.
The bill’s defeat leaves the tanker ban in place, and the vote did not send it to committee for further consideration.
The federal Liberal government voted Wednesday to keep the B.C. North Coast oil tanker ban in place, defeating a Conservative bill to repeal it.
MPs voted along party lines at second reading, with only Conservatives supporting the bill’s move to committee.
Conservatives cited a proposal to ship up to 250,000 barrels of Canadian oil a day by rail to the coast near Prince Rupert.
Prime Minister Mark Carney had struck a deal with the B.C. government earlier in the summer to keep the ban in place.
- Who
- Federal Liberal and Conservative MPs voted on the bill.
- What
- The House of Commons defeated a Conservative bill to repeal the B.C. North Coast oil tanker ban.
- When
- Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.
- Where
- The House of Commons in Canada; the ban applies to areas along British Columbia’s northern coast.
- Why
- Conservatives said repealing the ban would help move Canadian energy to global markets; the Liberals voted to keep it in place.
Federal Liberals
Federal Conservatives
Tanker ban
Federal Liberals
The Liberals voted to keep the ban in place.
Federal Conservatives
The Conservatives voted to advance a bill that would repeal the ban.
Energy exports
Federal Liberals
The government maintained the ban under a deal with the B.C. government.
Federal Conservatives
Conservatives said repealing the ban would help get Canadian energy to global markets and support jobs and export diversification.
Prime Minister Mark Carney struck a deal with the B.C. government to keep the tanker ban in place.
Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that a proposed pipeline route to the West Coast would go south to respect the tanker ban.
MPs voted at second reading, defeating the Conservative bill to repeal the ban.
- Vote
- Liberals defeated the bill; only Conservatives voted to move it to committee
- Proposed shipment
- Up to 250,000 barrels of Canadian oil daily
- Proposed route
- Existing railroad tracks through Prince Rupert, B.C.
- Law
- Oil Tanker Moratorium Act
- Tanker threshold
- More than 12,500 metric tonnes of crude oil in specified northern B.C. coastal areas
3 sources
What people are saying
Conservatives have made it clear that we're willing to work with the Liberals to bring forward amendments if they have concerns with this piece of legislation to see this proposal move forward
This is what they're asking for to create Canadian jobs and opportunities, diversify exports, and so we want to support that
Canada cannot become a global energy superpower while federal policies continue to stand in the way of getting our energy to the world. Repealing the tanker ban is an important step toward securing better prices for our resources and building a stronger, more prosperous Canada