OTTAWA — NDP leadership candidate Rob Ashton has expressed a willingness to lift the federal ban on coastal tanker traffic if there is significant support for transporting heavy oil through British Columbia's northern coast. In an interview, Ashton stated, "If a province says we’re going to block all tankers, B.C., but there’s a project that everybody wants, let’s find a safe way to move those tankers up."

Ashton emphasized the importance of community and Indigenous support for such projects. He noted, "If, say, from Alberta to B.C., you have community support. You have indigenous support, whether it’s oil being trucked in by rail, truck, or pipelines … And then you get to the water and you can’t move it away, then there has to be a discussion about how do we make this safer. I’m definitely open to that conversation."

With 30 years of experience as a longshoreman on B.C.'s docks, Ashton believes that technical measures could mitigate the risks associated with oil spills. He suggested options such as deploying more tugs to assist vessels or having an additional pilot on board. "There are safe ways to do projects," he added.

The North Coast tanker ban, implemented in late 2015 as part of a Liberal campaign promise, has become a contentious issue between B.C. NDP Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding a proposed West Coast pipeline. Eby recently described a reversal of the ban as a "direct economic threat" to B.C.'s economy, jeopardizing billions in investments linked to coastal First Nations' support. In response, Smith has criticized Eby, labeling him as "un-Canadian" and "parochial" for opposing the northern B.C. pipeline.

Ashton acknowledged that he and Eby share the same political affiliation but differ on this issue. He remarked, "David (Eby) has good ideas in some places, and I don’t think it’s my place to say (he’s) right or wrong … because I’m looking at the national stage, and it’s a whole different type of conversation."

Eby’s office has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Ashton’s comments on the tanker ban. Earlier this month, Ashton indicated in a podcast that he would allow the NDP membership to decide the party's stance on new pipeline construction.

Ashton is one of three candidates vying to become the next NDP leader, with the new leader to be announced at the party's convention in Winnipeg on March 29, 2026. The other candidates are Edmonton MP Heather McPherson and Vancouver filmmaker Avi Lewis.

Pipelines are a sensitive topic for at least two of the candidates. McPherson was the only NDP MP to support the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline to B.C.'s Lower Mainland in 2019 but has criticized Smith's proposal for a new North Coast pipeline. She advocates for a shift towards a renewables-focused economy and has pointed out the absence of a private sector proponent for the new pipeline as evidence of a global move away from fossil fuels. Lewis opposes any new coastal pipelines and has committed to aggressively decarbonizing Canada's economy.

The three candidates will participate in their first forum in Ottawa on Wednesday night.