The platform released by the Conservative party further disenfranchises Indigenous People by threatening Bill C-69, aims to “approve” previously permitted LNG projects, and is intentionally obtuse about a so-called “tanker ban” that doesn’t exist when it comes to LNG.
The platform ignores the fact that both phases of LNG Canada were approved by the federal government in 2016. The second phase of the project is awaiting a final investment decision from international oil giant Shell and their joint venture partners.
“There’s no clearer indication of the Conservatives’ intention to gut environmental laws than this platform which either misunderstands or misrepresents facts,” said Sven Biggs, Oil and Gas Program Director for Stand.earth. “Is Pierre Poilivre being deliberately deceptive about LNG Canada, which already has all the permits it needs? All LNG Canada needs is the final investment decision – which is dependent on new fossil fuel subsidies – which made the first phase of the project viable.”
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act (Bill C-48) prohibits oil tankers — not liquified natural gas (LNG) tankers — from carrying crude and persistent oils as cargo from stopping, loading or unloading at ports or marine installations in northern British Columbia. The ban protects the important marine wildlife of the region and coastal communities in the area.
“The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act bans oil tankers from B.C.’s North Coast not LNG tankers. It’s right there in the name.” said Anna Barford, Oceans Campaigner with Stand.earth. “Re-animating pipeline ghosts with misinformation about what the law actually is seems disingenuous and will ultimately cost us all more in the long run.”
The first phase of LNG Canada, which is nearing the end of construction, was only green lit after it received significant subsidies from both the Federal and B.C. Provincial Government, including $275 million in direct subsidies from Ottawa, and an exemption on steel tariffs which cost taxpayers as much as $1 billion. A recent report from Environmental Defence revealed that the Government of Canada provided at least $29.6 billion to the fossil fuel and petrochemical companies in 2024 alone, including $700 million of subsidies to LNG projects.
Source: Stand.earth