David Eby has hinted that he would be open to a new pipeline through British Columbia — so long as public funds aren't used.The premier argued that federal and provincial dollars should go towards existing projects."It's a simplification and not quite right to say that I've said 'no'," Eby said when questioned by the CBC's Rosemary Barton on Sunday. "We've supported Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan with a great corridor from Manitoba right through to Prince Rupert — it could include energy projects, it could potentially include a heavy oil pipeline project."He went on to note that a pipeline that empties into BC already exists, and that perhaps working to utilize its "significant additional capacity" was a better idea than starting from scratch."What I don't support is tens of billions of dollars of federal subsidies going to build this new pipeline," Eby said. "I think we should start with the projects that are shovel-ready, ready to go to grow our economy."."There is no company advocating for this project that's gonna bottom-line it," he added. "There's no money for it. Let's put our resources into the projects that are ready to go."When asked whether he would give a privately-funded pipeline the green light, Eby said he will "cross that bridge when we come to it.""We signed an [Memorandum of Understanding] with western premiers around a trade corridor that could include energy projects including heavy oil," he explained. "Obviously there are major issues, including the tanker ban on the north coast, the underused capacity in TMX and other pieces, but we did sign off on that.".Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been pushing her neighbour to the west to join her in advancing a new pipeline..Eby hints BC open to new pipeline if Smith finds proponent, funding.She first floated the idea at the First Ministers' Meeting, arguing that it would strengthen national unity by showing Albertans their interests were being respected.."I think we'll have the most success right now is working on a corridor between Hudson Bay and Port Prince Rupert," Smith said, "and I hope that we can get some common ground on that."
