B.C. Premier Eby Criticizes Pipeline Support Without Lumber Aid

British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed frustration on Monday with the federal government's support for a potential new oil pipeline from Alberta while overlooking aid for the province's struggling softwood lumber industry.

Speaking at a news conference in Victoria announced on short notice that morning, Eby questioned why Prime Minister Mark Carney stated last week that such a pipeline was "more likely than not," despite no private company having stepped forward as a proponent. "B.C.'s real projects in the energy sector deserve at least as much respect as the pipeline being touted by Alberta, which still remains unrealized in any real way," Eby said.

His comments came hours after Ottawa announced an additional $1.5 billion in tariff relief for industries affected by U.S. duties. The package, however, provided no new funding for softwood lumber producers, a sector Eby described as being "decimated" by what he called unfair American tariffs.

Eby highlighted the disparity in federal treatment, noting that steel and automobile sectors have received support while B.C.'s forestry industry has not. "I keep trying to figure out why softwood lumber gets treated differently to other...