“Alberta supports private member’s Bill C-264 to repeal the federal Oil Tanker Moratorium Act and remove barriers preventing our responsibly produced energy from reaching global markets. Repealing the ban would open the door to crude-by-rail exports through Prince Rupert, giving Alberta another route to reach customers around the world.

“Our oil to the United States is selling at a significant discount at a disadvantage to the entire country. The only effective way to close that gap is to increase exports off our western coast and get more customers competing for our energy. For decades, limited access to tidewater has left Alberta heavily dependent on a single customer, putting our oil at a competitive disadvantage and reducing the value of our resources.

“The Trans Mountain Expansion has helped open new markets, particularly in Asia, but we need more pipelines and more access to tidewater. Pacific Link will help increase our export capacity, but we also need to remove the federal tanker ban to unlock opportunities through Prince Rupert. Global demand for energy continues to grow, and Alberta has the resources to help meet it.

“Alberta holds the fourth-largest proven oil reserves in the world, and developing those resources benefits all Canadians. They help fund hospitals, schools, critical infrastructure and social programs across the country, while creating long-term economic opportunities for Indigenous communities through investment and co-ownership in major projects.

“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.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“The tanker ban remains a stumbling block to accessing Asia, one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Sailing from Prince Rupert, B.C., would provide the shortest energy shipping route to Asia. This means lower shipping costs, less fuel used and fewer emissions created. Producers have already expressed interest in using this route for crude oil exports.

“Private Member’s Bill C-264, sponsored by Member of Parliament David Mackenzie and scheduled for debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Oct. 28, would repeal the federal Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, a step Alberta has long sought because of its discrimination against Alberta oil. The ban restricts oil tankers from loading and unloading at ports along northern British Columbia's coast, while vessels from other countries move oil past the northwest coast on a daily basis to ports in Alaska and Washington state. The oil tanker ban does not apply to natural gas or natural gas liquids or any other commodity carried by tankers. Canada has one of the best marine safety and environmental records in the world. We safely manage tanker navigation in busy and difficult waters on both the west and east coasts without incident. We can also do so with oil tankers carrying Alberta oil.

“The Pacific Link pipeline was recently designated as a project of national importance, and while the project will ship from a port in southern British Columbia, this does not preclude the need for additional export capacity from the northwest coast. The demand is there, and it is not going away for decades to come. Ending the oil tanker ban is Canada’s opportunity to become an energy superpower.”

Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals