It’s an oil pipeline with no proponent and no route, governed by a provincial veto that may or may not exist, freed from environmental laws that may or may not apply, and opposed by First Nations whose opposition may or may not matter because it’s all been declared in the national interest. Whatever that means.

Welcome to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s “grand bargain” coastal pipeline scenario. What it means will depend on how you interpreted Thursday’s events.

Did you read the memorandum of understanding between Alberta and Ottawa?

“Canada and Alberta agree to engage with British Columbia immediately in a trilateral discussion on the pipeline project,” it read.

“Canada and Alberta also agree to engage meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples in both Alberta and British Columbia on this project, with the involvement of the B.C. Government for engagement with B.C. First Nations.”

Or did you listen to Carney speak about it to the media?

“There needs to be full partnership, as well as equity ownership, substantial economic benefits, with First Nations,” he said. “As well as agreement and substantial economic benefits for the people of British Columbia.”

Or maybe you caught Carney presenting in the House of Commons?

“We believe the government of British........

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