As a Christian observing leftist rhetoric in Canada, I often find it spiritually troubling—especially when media outlets fail to provide proper context in their reporting. Much of the commentary, particularly around energy and governance, lacks depth and accountability. Unfortunately, many Canadian journalists no longer function as objective truth-seekers, but as ideological gatekeepers.

You’ll notice I rarely criticize Conservative premiers on this blog—and that’s intentional. Once you understand the internal mechanics of government and the widespread public ignorance in Canada, you begin to see why leaders like Ontario Premier Doug Ford sometimes make what sound like left-leaning statements that don’t align with their actual policy decisions.

Take Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, for example. Her strategy has been to lean into rhetoric that resonates deeply with Albertans—especially talk of separation. And there’s a reason for that.

This article’s focus is straightforward: Why isn’t the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline running at full capacity? A large part of the answer lies with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) and the tolls it imposes.

Produced in Canada PRICE CONTROLS – The Toll Problem

Unlike a traditional tariff, pipeline tolls are fees imposed on energy companies to use pipeline infrastructure. In the case of TMX, these tolls are set and enforced by the CER, a federal regulator. While tolls are a standard part of pipeline economics, the concern here is that the level of tolls is punitive, acting as a de facto price control mechanism that discourages energy producers from maximizing the use of the pipeline.

This isn’t a new problem. Even during the left-leaning Biden administration in the U.S., American energy projects advanced more efficiently than Canada’s because they didn’t face the same bloated regulatory and cost structures that are now standard here.

In short, Alberta producers must pay a premium just to move their product through British Columbia, and that premium is largely the result of federal pricing mechanisms—not market demand. For left-leaning policymakers, this is a feature, not a bug. These tolls suppress fossil fuel output while allowing government to redirect funds toward expanding the public sector or subsidizing ideological goals like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance.

Enter Mark Carney and ESG Bureaucracy

Mark Carney, now Prime Minister of Canada, is widely seen as a global architect of ESG ideology. To him, the climate agenda is not just a policy issue—it’s a financial opportunity. By adding additional regulatory layers and costs to energy infrastructure like TMX, Carney is signaling a clear preference: raise the price of “undesirable” energy to fund a transition to his version of a green economy.

This is why Premier Danielle Smith has been vocal about reducing Alberta’s dependence on federal decisions. From her vantage point, Alberta is being economically restrained to serve the broader ESG ambitions of Ottawa.

The Bigger Picture: Governance, Values, and Truth

When Premier David Eby of British Columbia claims TMX isn’t running at capacity, it’s important to ask: Is he telling the whole story? If tolls and regulatory barriers are discouraging companies from using the pipeline, then that’s relevant. And omitting this context, whether deliberate or not, borders on misrepresentation.

In British Columbia today, we see increasing prioritization of First Nations governance, rising secularism, and—concerningly—a spike in arson attacks against churches. There is a spiritual, cultural, and economic shift happening all at once. When Christianity is marginalized, so too is the moral framework that underpins liberty and truth.

Property is just land—but the values of the people inhabiting it determine whether it becomes a place of prosperity or oppression. Wealth is not just money—it’s stewardship. And when governments try to redistribute wealth under the guise of justice, but without a foundation in God’s law, they often create injustice instead.

Final Thoughts

Canada is, by global standards, a wealthy nation. But our collective wealth has made us complacent—and in some ways, dishonest. When our leaders manipulate language and policy to obscure the truth, they are not just distorting markets, they are undermining liberty itself.

The TMX pipeline is not running at full capacity for a reason—and CER tolls may be a major part of it. But you won’t hear that from most mainstream sources.

As Christians, we’re called to speak truth and seek wisdom. If we ignore that duty, we leave the door open for those who value control over liberty, and bureaucracy over stewardship.

Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today. He is the truth, the way, and the life—and only by following Him can we build a society grounded in justice, liberty, and peace.

Summary of TMX hasn’t reached capacity