Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on the federal government to immediately approve a major oil pipeline to Canada’s Pacific coast amid changes in the global energy landscape and concerns about foreign competition for market share. Poilievre argues that Canada needs to act swiftly to ensure its crude exports remain competitive and to avoid being disadvantaged as energy supplies shift internationally.

In a public letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Poilievre said recent developments abroad — particularly in Venezuela, where U.S. actions against the Maduro regime could lead to a rapid rebound in heavy crude production — have altered the competitive dynamics for oil markets. He warned that if Venezuelan crude returns to global markets at scale, it could displace Canadian exports in U.S. refineries that specialize in processing heavier grades of oil.

Poilievre’s proposal centers on fast-tracking approval for a pipeline that would transport Western Canada’s crude to tidewater, giving Canadian producers direct access to Pacific markets. He told Carney that delays in pipeline approval threaten the country’s ability to expand into Asia and other growing markets where Canadian oil could fetch higher prices and diversify export destinations.

The call for immediate action reflects broader political debates over energy infrastructure in Canada. The Conservative leader and his party have repeatedly argued that regulatory delays and lack of approvals for major energy projects have hampered economic opportunity and left Canadian producers overly dependent on a single export destination. They contend that securing access to new markets is essential for strengthening Canada’s energy sector and supporting jobs, investment, and government revenues.

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Poilievre’s stance also ties into a broader policy agenda that prioritizes energy infrastructure and economic sovereignty. In recent months, he has advocated for a “Canada First” approach to energy development, including proposals to streamline approvals for pipelines and other transportation corridors to reduce dependence on external markets and regulatory bottlenecks.

Notably, his remarks come as the federal government navigates a complex set of considerations involving Indigenous consultation, environmental review processes, and intergovernmental relations with provinces that may have differing views on pipeline routes and approvals. These factors have historically contributed to extended timelines for major infrastructure decisions in Canada.

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In summary, Poilievre is urging an accelerated regulatory process for pipeline approval to help protect the competitiveness of Canadian crude exports amid evolving global energy conditions. His argument frames pipeline expansion not only as an economic priority but as a necessary strategic response to shifts in the international oil landscape.