Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has issued a direct challenge to Prime Minister Mark Carney, demanding the federal government approve a new pipeline to Canada's Pacific Coast within 60 days of receiving a proposal. This urgent call comes in response to a major geopolitical shift following the arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, January 7, 2026.
A Geopolitical Reset for Energy Markets
Poilievre framed the arrest of Maduro, whose socialist regime Canada did not recognize as legitimate, as a potential positive step for Venezuelan freedom. However, he immediately pivoted to the significant implications for global energy. The potential end of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela could see its oil production rebound to a historic level of 3.5 million barrels per day, up from its current one million.
This presents a direct competitive threat to Alberta's oilsands. Both produce heavy crude requiring specialized refinery capacity, primarily located in the United States. "Each Venezuelan barrel the Americans take could therefore be a barrel less they will need from us," Poilievre argued, emphasizing the need for Canada to secure alternative international customers swiftly.
Liberals' Record and Carney's Vague Commitment
The Conservative leader criticized the Liberal government's historical stance, noting that for a decade it blocked Canadian energy development that could have replaced sanctioned Venezuelan oil. He expressed deep skepticism about Prime Minister Carney's commitment to a new pipeline, pointing to the vague language in Carney's Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
The agreement only states a pipeline "can be referred to the Major Projects Office for consideration." Poilievre dismissed this as a recipe for "years of further study," bureaucratic delay, and political uncertainty. He reminded readers of the Liberal government's November 2016 decision to kill a similar project, which Carney later testified was the "right decision," and that current Liberal MPs still oppose such development.
The Official Opposition's 60-Day Ultimatum
Given these factors, Poilievre stated there is only one way for the Carney government to prove its seriousness: act. The Official Opposition is formally calling for the approval of a new Pacific pipeline within 60 days of a proposal being submitted. This would give Carney, elected on a promise of "building at speeds not seen in generations," over a year as Prime Minister to deliver.
Poilievre framed the solution as straightforward: "He only needs to do one thing to let this pipeline happen: get out of the way." He argued that all other elements for success are already in place:
- Funding: Hundreds of billions in private investment capital are available.
- Labour: 6.5% of Canada's energy and trades workers are unemployed and ready to work.
- Resources: The oil reserves are under Canada's feet.
The only missing component, according to Poilievre, is a federal permit. With the clock reset on global energy markets, he contends Canada has no time for politics, paperwork, or bureaucratic busywork.
