Bill C-48, also known as the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, was passed by the Liberal government in 2019 with support from the NDP and Green Party. The bill bans oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tonnes of crude or persistent oil from stopping, loading, or unloading at ports along British Columbia’s northern coast. This effectively blocks projects like the Northern Gateway pipeline from being revived
Why Conservatives Stand Against Bill C-48 and Its Impact
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Kills Western Canadian Energy Development:
- Alberta and Saskatchewan depend on the export of oil to sustain jobs and economic growth.
- Bill C-48 effectively blocks future pipeline projects that could deliver Canadian oil to international markets, harming the energy sector.
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Demonstrates Hypocrisy and Unfairness:
- While this law bans oil tankers from BC’s northern coast, foreign tankers carrying oil from countries like Saudi Arabia continue to arrive at Eastern Canadian ports unchecked.
- The Trudeau government claims to be reducing emissions but allows the import of dirtier, ethically questionable oil while blocking Canada’s cleaner, responsibly produced energy.
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Ignores Economic Reality and First Nations Interests:
- Many Indigenous groups supported the Northern Gateway pipeline, recognizing its economic benefits.
- The Liberal-NDP coalition ignored Indigenous voices that advocated for responsible resource development, choosing to side with radical environmentalists instead.
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Benefits Foreign Oil Producers While Harming Canadians:
- By banning oil shipments off BC’s coast, Canada is giving market opportunities to foreign producers, such as the U.S., Russia, and OPEC nations.
- This policy harms Canadian workers and domestic industry while benefiting foreign oil producers.
Conclusion: Bill C-48 is an anti-Canadian energy policy that harms our economy, disregards the interests of Canadian workers, and supports foreign oil interests. The Conservative Party of Canada will continue to fight for policies that support Canadian jobs, national prosperity, and energy independence.
Our Conservative Plan:
Repeal Bill C-48 and restore policies that support Canadian energy projects and jobs