Prime Minister Carney was in Vancouver Wednesday for a high-stakes meeting with Premier David Eby, as tensions grow over pipelines and energy policy.

“In a rapidly changing world Canada must become the source of affordable clean, and reliable power. Because when we master energy, we master our destiny,” said Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!

Ahead of his meeting with David Eby, the Prime Minister painted an optimistic picture of Canada’s future as a global clean energy leader.

But with tensions still simmering between Ottawa and B.C., Carney stressed that capitalizing on that opportunity will require provinces and the federal government to move together.

“We need to move, in a coordinated fashion. We need to move together. We need to move in a way that respects our responsibilities, builds our partnerships with First Nations…but builds the countries independence, sovereignty, and prosperity at the same time,” said Carney.

Premier Eby has grown increasingly vocal following Carney’s recent agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to lower Alberta’s industrial carbon price – a move that could help fast-track a new pipeline to B.C.’s coast.

But ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Eby struck a notably more measured tone, saying he still considers Carney a friend of the province – while adding that friendship also means being honest about B.C.’s priorities.

“Part of the truth for British Columbia, is that development work that we are doing to develop our economy has to go hand-and-hand with environmental protection for the next generation including the northwest tanker ban that is crucially important for British Columbians,” said Premier of British Columbia, David Eby.

And while both leaders are projecting unity publicly, political scientist Stewart Prest remains skeptical that the two sides can find common ground. With the federal government moving as if the proposed pipeline is an inevitability.

“I think given the current approach of the federal government, I don’t know we are going to see common ground reach because the federal is not striving to achieve common ground rather than saying you take this pipeline and like it, it’s gonna work out for you,” said Prest.