Dominic LeBlanc, president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and minister responsible for Canada-US Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, and One Canadian Economy, has expressed opposition to oil pipelines, highlighting a rift with Alberta’s energy priorities.In a CBC interview clip posted to Twitter/X by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, LeBlanc said, "In conversations with the premiers and Mr. Carney during the election campaign, it was very clear an energy corridor can bring in electricity transmission lines. It can bring in natural gas. It can even bring in rail cars carrying critical minerals. It's not just pipelines. People tend to reduce it to an oil pipeline. We're not talking about oil pipelines when we talk about energy corridors."LeBlanc’s remarks contrast with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s demands before the April 28 federal election, which included repealing Bill C-69, dubbed the "No More Pipelines Act" by critics. .Smith warned that ignoring Alberta’s concerns could trigger a national unity crisis. Smith has since introduced Bill 54, lowering the threshold for a potential Alberta independence referendum.While she insists she seeks a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” the Alberta NDP have branded her a “separatist,” sparking nationwide debate.LeBlanc’s stance diverges from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comments supporting pipelines. In March, Carney stated, “It's about getting things done. It's about getting, yes, pipelines built, across this country, so we that can displace imports of foreign oil.”In April, Carney said, "Quebec uses 350,000 on average barrels of oil a day, 70% of which comes from the US. There is a big advantage to Canada to push that out, use our own oil, use the resources from that for other things, including protecting our environments [and] our social programs.”.Smith and indigenous energy experts are calling out Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault, now minister of Canadian identity and culture, for comments about pipelines. In a media scrum Wednesday, Guilbeault spoke against additional Canadian pipelines, creating confusion about Government of Canada intentions as they relate to Alberta. "People should remember that we bought a pipeline, Trans Mountain, and that is only used right now at about 40% capacity," he said. "So, I think before we start talking about building an entire new pipeline, maybe we should maximize the use of existing infrastructure."Guilbeault's critics say the pipeline is operating at 80% — and that more pipelines to tidewater are needed to help meet world energy demand.
