In Ottawa, on the desk of one of the prime minister’s many strategists, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a document titled: Operation Butter Up B.C.

The plan would go something like this: Repeatedly visit British Columbia over a series of weeks to dispense federal cash on feel-good announcements like upgrading the iconic White Rock Pier or building the Filipino Cultural Centre.

Add a disproportionately high number of projects from the province onto the new federal major projects list, giving B.C. bragging rights and the appearance of special treatment. Glad-hand in public with the premier, showing he has the ear of the federal government.

And then, when British Columbia is all nice and fattened up like a plump Christmas goose, guillotine it with an oil pipeline that you know it cannot and will not support.

It’s not exactly brilliant long-term politics. Some bridges will be permanently burned. But it appears to be the route chosen by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

It’s all building to an apex this week with a final one-two combination. Ottawa is expected to unveil a new softwood lumber aid package in the coming days, addressing concerns by Premier David Eby that B.C.........

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