It’s hard not to appreciate Pierre Poilievre’s bluntness when it comes to the future of Canadian energy. At a press conference last weekend, the Conservative leader made a powerful case for what many across the country already know deep down: we need to get pipelines built — and we need to do it now.
Poilievre cut through the political dithering by stating a simple reality — “We’ve got to get it done. We need a pipe at the end of the day.” His words reflect a growing urgency in a country that sells nearly all its oil and gas to a single buyer — the USA — at a discount. That discount, which Poilievre estimates to be about $15 a barrel, adds up quickly; it’s a huge financial drain on Canadian resources and a missed opportunity for our workers and our future.
Some will say we shouldn’t move forward without a universal consensus from provinces, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. But let’s be realistic — absolute consensus on a project of this scale is nearly impossible to achieve. If we wait for everyone to be on board, we may find ourselves stranded, losing countless opportunities while the rest of the world moves forward.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby have raised reasonable points about consent and collaboration, and there’s no doubt we need to handle these projects responsibly. But we can’t allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. At a certain point, strong federal leadership is required to cut through the politics and put the national interest first.
This isn’t about ignoring provinces or disregarding Indigenous perspectives — it’s about having the conviction to pursue projects that will bring prosperity to all Canadians. The federal government already owns Trans Mountain; extending our pipeline network to reach Pacific markets is a logical next step. The potential benefits — more employment, greater energy independence, and a boost to federal and provincial coffers — far outweigh the obstacles.
Some, like B.C.’s Premier Eby, have raised doubts about whether there’s funding or industry will to pursue another pipeline. But that’s a hurdle we can clear once there’s a clear political will. The companies and investors will follow if they see strong signals from Ottawa and the provinces.
Poilievre is not alone in this view. Conservative premiers from across the country — from Alberta’s Danielle Smith to Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia — have all recognized the need to connect our resources to a world hungry for reliable energy.
The bottom line is this: the future of Canadian energy depends on whether we can move past political paralysis and start making decisions. If we wait for perfect unity, we’ll miss the opportunity altogether. Pierre Poilievre is putting forward a path forward — a path that guarantees Canadian resources reach the markets that need them most. It’s time we follow it.
