U.S. Tariff Threats: A Wake-Up Call for Canada’s Pipeline Future

For years, Canada’s pipeline debates have been mired in provincial infighting, environmentalist opposition, and federal overreach. However, recent threats from the U.S. to impose tariffs on Canadian oil have forced the country to reconsider its approach to energy infrastructure. The silver lining in these threats? Canadians are finally focusing on energy independence and national wealth creation rather than engaging in counterproductive interprovincial bickering.

A Shift in Quebec’s Pipeline Stance

Historically, Quebec has been a major roadblock to pipeline projects like Energy East, but recent polling indicates a seismic shift in public opinion. A new Angus Reid Institute survey found that 47% of Quebecers now support Energy East, up from just 33% in 2019. Nationally, support for the project has risen from 58% to 65%, reflecting a growing realization that Canada cannot afford to remain dependent on the United States for energy trade.

Quebec Premier François Legault, once a staunch opponent of Energy East, has acknowledged that changing public sentiment could alter his government’s stance. “What Mr. Trump is doing may change the situation in the future,” he remarked. Meanwhile, former advisor to Quebec’s Finance Minister, Jean Philippe Fournier, credited Trump for shifting Quebecers' perspective, stating, “Anyone that tells you there’s no social acceptability in Quebec is either an idiot, misinformed, or straight-up lying.”

Despite continued opposition from Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who insists that Quebec remains “fiercely opposed” to new pipelines, the data suggests otherwise. Minister of Industry François-Philippe Champagne even admitted that Canada may need a pipeline linking its eastern and western provinces, a rare acknowledgment from a government that has spent years stifling pipeline development.

The Trudeau Government’s Hypocrisy on Pipelines

The Trudeau government, under the influence of radical environmentalism, has actively worked against Canada’s energy sector. It killed Energy East, Northern Gateway, and passed Bill C-69—a piece of legislation so damaging to resource development that the Supreme Court of Canada deemed parts of it unconstitutional. Now, faced with the economic consequences of these policies, Liberal ministers are suddenly pretending to support pipeline expansion.

Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer called out this hypocrisy: “Trudeau-Carney Liberal Ministers are trying to fool you: pretending they want east-west pipelines. Remember: it was the Liberal government that killed Energy East.” Conservative MP Michael Cooper echoed this sentiment, calling it an “admission of failure.”

While the government’s purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline was controversial, the decision ultimately allowed the expansion project to move forward. However, cost overruns have ballooned the price tag to $34 billion, demonstrating the inefficiencies created by excessive regulation. Two-thirds of Canadians (64%) now recognize that government red tape makes projects like Trans Mountain more expensive than they should be.

Time to Revive Energy East and Northern Gateway

If Canada wants to secure its economic future, it must act decisively to revive Energy East and Northern Gateway. While oil and gas producers in the West have traditionally sought the shortest routes to market—often preferring exports to Asia—Trump’s tariff threats have demonstrated the dangers of over-reliance on the United States. Canada must have the ability to transport its resources across the country, ensuring that no province is left at the mercy of foreign economic policies.

Support for these projects is strong across the country. A majority (54%) of Canadians support reviving Northern Gateway, despite past opposition from environmental activists and the Liberal government. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have both voiced their desire to restart these projects, with Smith calling for renewed discussions with B.C. and Quebec on pipeline access to both coasts.

Even Quebec, long seen as an insurmountable obstacle, is shifting its stance. The polls make it clear: Canadians recognize the economic benefits of pipelines, and public pressure is mounting for governments at all levels to take action.

The End of Trudeau’s Radical Environmentalism?

One of the greatest obstacles to Canada’s energy security has been Justin Trudeau’s radical stance on environmentalism. His departure from office—whenever it happens—will likely mark the end of an era in which government policy prioritized ideology over economic prosperity.

A post-Trudeau Canada will have the opportunity to undo the damage inflicted on the oil and gas sector. Without excessive federal interference, provinces will be able to work together to build infrastructure that benefits all Canadians. A strong, interprovincial pipeline network will ensure energy security, create thousands of jobs, and generate immense national wealth.

Looking Forward: A New Era for Canada’s Oil and Gas Sector

Trump’s tariff threats have served as an unintended catalyst for change in Canada. They have exposed the vulnerabilities in our energy strategy and forced the country to reconsider its outdated reliance on the U.S. for oil exports. With public opinion shifting, and provinces increasingly willing to collaborate, the time has come to push forward with long-overdue pipeline projects.

As the Liberal government scrambles to cover up its anti-pipeline record, Canadians should remain vigilant. It is not enough for federal ministers to pay lip service to pipeline expansion—we need real, tangible commitments. The next federal government must prioritize the energy sector, removing regulatory barriers and ensuring that Canada can fully capitalize on its natural resources.

The fight for Canada’s economic future starts now. It’s time to move past provincial squabbling, take advantage of our immense natural wealth, and build the pipelines that will secure prosperity for generations to come.