OTTAWA — The federal government is willing to support a new oil pipeline to the west coast but wants any such project to have British Columbia’s backing before it goes forward, says Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.

“For it to go through a jurisdiction, you need the support of the jurisdiction,” Hodgson told the Star on Wednesday.

Carolyn Svonkin, a spokesperson from Hodgson’s office, later clarified that the government will not “confer a veto” to B.C. over development of a pipeline. Instead, she said the Carney government’s “strong preference” is for a new pipeline to have B.C.’s support, especially if it is to be eligible for fast-track approval under a new process for “national interest” projects, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has demanded .

The position differs from the

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