Motion by N.S. premier to condemn anti-pipeline politicians in Canada fails

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston speaks to reporters in Halifax on Nov. 14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has failed to get unanimous consent in the legislature to a resolution calling on the federal government to condemn any national political leader who opposes energy infrastructure projects amid the trade war with the United States.

Houston singled out Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, who last month said he was “fiercely opposed” to potential energy pipelines through Quebec.

Houston’s resolution says Blanchet’s position undermines “both national unity and Canada’s economic resilience” while cutting Nova Scotia off from accessing energy from the rest of the country.

It also called on Ottawa to prioritize and streamline approvals for oil and natural gas infrastructure projects in order to “bolster our domestic and export capabilities.”

Houston’s motion comes as Canada and the U.S. are in a bitter trade dispute, with President Donald Trump imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian products on Tuesday, only to announce a one-month tariff pause on some Canadian goods two days later.

The premier’s motion was opposed by the Opposition New Democrats, forcing it to be tabled unless he brings it back for debate in the legislature.

“This is a time for national unity and the moment to push forward on projects,” Houston later told reporters. “It’s incredibly disappointing to see a national leader — the leader of the Bloc — saying he’s not interested unless it’s exclusively for Quebec. It’s very damaging for the country.”

NDP Leader Claudia Chender took issue with the resolution because it calls for condemnation of national leaders at a time when national unity is paramount.

“We’ve been talking about a Team Canada approach,” said Chender. “We didn’t vote it (the resolution) down … we will wait and debate it and hear more information.”

The Bloc Québécois was not immediately available for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025.