HALIFAX 鈥� 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 Qu茅b茅cois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, who last month said he was 鈥渇iercely opposed鈥� to potential energy pipelines through Quebec.
Houston's resolution says Blanchet鈥檚 position undermines 鈥渂oth national unity and Canada鈥檚 economic resilience鈥� 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 鈥渂olster our domestic and export capabilities.鈥�
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.
鈥淭his is a time for national unity and the moment to push forward on projects,鈥� Houston later told reporters. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly disappointing to see a national leader 鈥� the leader of the Bloc 鈥� saying he鈥檚 not interested unless it鈥檚 exclusively for Quebec. It鈥檚 very damaging for the country.鈥�
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.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been talking about a Team Canada approach,鈥� said Chender. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 vote it (the resolution) down 鈥� we will wait and debate it and hear more information.鈥�
The Bloc Qu茅b茅cois was not immediately available for comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025.
The Canadian Press
