UCP Caucus Divided on Pipeline Deal | Vancouver News

Former Alberta MLA Drew Barnes is sounding the alarm, revealing that Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP caucus is deeply divided over her controversial pipeline deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney. While Smith pushed for a northwest route, the tanker ban forced a compromise — sticking to the Trans Mountain path — and came with steep costs: higher carbon taxes and billions in carbon capture investments. Barnes, who once sat in the UCP caucus, says he knows at least a quarter to a third of the 47-member caucus quietly disagrees, citing poor business sense and loss of provincial autonomy. Even Jason Stephan has publicly criticized the deal. Barnes, himself expelled from the UCP in 2021 for opposing the premier’s pandemic response, warns the current system stifles dissent — but the cracks are showing. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6848d33c18d031bd