Alberta has officially submitted an application to the federal Major Projects Office for listing as a project of national interest to build a new pipeline to the West Coast.
The proposed pipeline runs through southern British Columbia, largely following the existing Trans Mountain pipeline corridor to a deep-water, VLCC-capable port terminal on B.C.’s southwest coast.
To facilitate this project, Alberta’s government will enter into a partnership with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline.
According to the Alberta government, using the existing corridor will significantly reduce regulatory and logistical barriers, while minimizing land disturbances.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday that the Alberta-Canada energy agreement announced in May included a commitment from the federal government to a timely review of Alberta’s submission for a west coast pipeline, with the goal of achieving national interest listing by Oct. 1, 2026, and obtaining the permissions necessary for the design and construction of the pipeline to commence as early as Sept. 1, 2027.
“Canada has everything it needs to become an energy superpower, but only if we build the infrastructure to get our resources to market,” said Smith.
“Alberta has done its part by putting forward a responsible, world-class proposal and selecting the strongest route to Canada’s west coast. A west coast oil pipeline will create tens of thousands of jobs, generate tens of billions in new provincial and federal revenues and make Canada more secure and self-reliant. This project will define Alberta’s and Canada’s economic future.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday he expects the new project will mean $200 billion in direct investments in Canada and create 175,000 new jobs.
“The time for action is now,” Carney said.
The province said July 2 that the West Coast Oil Pipeline will transport more than one million barrels of oil per day to Canada’s west coast and strengthen access to growing Asian markets, helping meet Alberta’s goal to double its oil production to eight million barrels per day over the next 10 years.
The Alberta government said in a release that they selected a southern corridor from Bruderheim, Alta., to the southwest coast of British Columbia. This offers the fastest, most cost-effective path to expanding Canada’s energy exports.
The proposed corridor builds on existing infrastructure, reflects feedback from Indigenous groups and the Government of British Columbia, reduces regulatory barriers given it would not be subject to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act (Bill C-48), and gets Canadian oil to global markets faster.
Premier Smith also said Thursday that the Alberta government, the federal government and the Oil Sands Alliance have finalized a tripartite agreement that will include a series of regulatory reforms and growth incentives needed to expedite growth in oilsands production necessary to fill the new West Coast pipeline and expand the existing Trans Mountain pipeline.
In an announcement earlier Thursday, the federal government said it will provide billions of dollars in support for B.C. projects and guarantee that North Coast oil tanker restrictions will remain in place in exchange for a commitment from the province not to oppose a new pipeline from Alberta to the coast.
“We will not be going to court to fight a pipeline project,” B.C. Premier David Eby said in Vancouver on July 2. “Instead, we will ensure we fulfill our constitutional obligations in good faith.”
With files from Mark Page.