Sask. government joins calls to end B.C. tanker ban

Saskatchewan’s provincial government raised its voice Monday, joining others calling for the tanker ban off the north coast of B.C. to be scrapped.

A Conservative Party bill to that end, Bill C-264, will make its way to second reading in Parliament this week, and the provincial government made it known it supports the bill.

“Every new export opportunity helps strengthen Canada’s economy,” Premier Scott Moe said in a news release.

“Greater egress capacity means more jobs, more investment, better prices for Western Canadian oil, and more revenue to support the services that Canadians rely on.”

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The government argued removing the ban would help increase export capacity, opening access to global markets, creating opportunities for trade, and enhancing industry confidence in Canada.

Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Chris Beaudry also said it would reduce transit times to Asian markets and decrease the per-barrel shipping costs.

“Removing unnecessary barriers to market access strengthens Saskatchewan’s economy, attracts investments, and provides revenue for essential public services such as healthcare, education, and more for the people of Saskatchewan. New egress opportunities also help to close the widening price discount for Western Canadian Select heavy oil,” read the government news release.

In July, Prime Minister Mark Carney and then-B.C. Premier David Eby signed a deal to keep the tanker ban as is. However, Eby was voted out of office on Saturday, and a new majority Conservative government was elected. It’s unclear what that might mean for the ban.

Supporters of the ban argue it protects a sensitive marine environment in a dangerous area for navigation.