B.C.’s foot-dragging, fence-sitting position on new oil pipelines collided face-first with reality this week at a first ministers meeting in Saskatoon, where other premiers and the prime minister appeared to pretty much sidestep our province.

Prime Minister Mark Carney emerged to declare he’s moving quickly to prepare legislation that would fast-track projects he deems to be in the national interest, including oil pipelines through B.C.’s coast. The goal is to respond quickly to strengthen Canada’s economy in the wake of trade threats by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Within that are opportunities in energy, critical minerals and well beyond—and specifically within energy opportunities, yes, for an oil pipeline, an oil pipeline to get to tide water,” said Carney.

“Within the broader context of national interest, the interest is in, as mentioned in the press release, decarbonized barrels. So working alongside forms of decarbonization for those barrels, that is absolutely in our interest.

“It provides diversification of trade partners. It provides the development of new industries. It provides economic activity across the west and into the north. So, yes, there's real........

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