Liberal MPs downplay caucus divisions over energy deal, as energy minister briefs B.C. caucus

Article content

He said those moves, combined with Alberta taking more steps to strengthen methane regulations, “would be incredible for the climate.”

Article content

“I think that’s something that my B.C. colleagues would be very excited about.”

Article content

Several B.C. Liberal caucus members whisked by reporters heading into the Liberal caucus meeting without stopping to speak. Only Ernie Klassen, who represents the B.C. riding of  South Surrey — White Rock, quickly answered to suggest he left the meeting with Hodgson feeling assured.

Article content

One Liberal MP, who spoke to National Post on the condition they not be named, said Hodgson is respected in caucus, given his depth in the file.

Article content

Still, the MP said concerns around the impending deal with Alberta lie within two groups: Centre-left members of the Liberal caucus, who have some “hesitation” based on worries about the impact of pipelines on the environment, and then B.C. caucus members who have “anxiety.”

Article content

“Understandly so,” the MP said. The MP pointed to someone like Will Greaves, who captured the riding of Victoria, a typically NDP stronghold for the Liberals in the last election, who would likely be hearing about this pipeline proposal from constituents.

Article content

Article content

“There’s real anxiety around this.”

Article content

Greaves told National Post back in October, shortly after Smith first released her pipeline proposal, that his office had been “inundated” with emotional correspondence from constituents and that his community was “pretty overwhelming” in its opposition to another oil pipeline. 

Article content

On Wednesday, the president of a group representing coastal First Nations issued a statement, rejecting any idea of a new pipeline and blasting the federal government for its “wall of silence” about the deal with Alberta.

Article content

“As the Rights and Title Holders of the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii, we are here to remind the Alberta government, the federal government, and any potential private proponent that we will never allow oil tankers on our coast, and that this pipeline project will never happen,” said Marilyn Slett, President of the Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative and Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation. 

Article content

Ontario MP James Maloney, who chairs the Liberal caucus, told reporters he does not believe there to be any problem with divides within caucus and that, like on any issue, there would be “several views.”

Article content

“We continue to work as a group, and we will come out of this united, as we always do.”

Article content

National Post

Article content

Article content