Thursday’s pipeline route announcement from the federal and Alberta governments has Clearwater in expectation of a new oil project running through town.
In a press conference on Thursday, July 2, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced what they call a nation-building project that they hope will bring over $200 billion in direct investments to Canada, create over 175,000 jobs and help connect Alberta oil to global markets.
They announced that the proposed pipeline project plans to use the same route as the existing Trans Mountain pipeline corridor.
“We’ve agreed… that the best route for a new pipeline is one that goes through one that already exists,” Carney said. “So, through the Trans Mountain corridor, to our Pacific coast. The gateway to the world’s fastest-growing markets.”
Smith also said the project would follow the existing Trans Mountain pipeline corridor and build on existing infrastructure. She said they’ve selected a southern route for the pipeline from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a port on B.C.’s southwest coast.
That existing corridor passes through the North Thompson Valley.
Between August 2020 and January 2023, Trans Mountain had a Clearwater Camp Community housing up to 550 people working on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, according to Trans Mountain’s website.
On July 2, Trans Mountain put out a press release saying that, subject to definitive agreements to be further negotiated, Alberta’s government will be entering into a joint venture with Trans Mountain Corporation, which will lead the project development and execution, with complementary help from Pembina Pipeline Corporation.
“Trans Mountain will also begin engagement with Indigenous communities and stakeholders along the proposed corridor. These discussions will help inform project planning and route selection with a focus on identifying technically feasible options and understanding community and stakeholder perspectives,” the company said.
Despite the confirmation that the pipeline will be following the existing corridor, it is not specifically confirmed that the project will pass through Clearwater, and Black Press Media contacted Trans Mountain on July 3 seeking confirmation.
Expectation and advocacy in Clearwater
Following Thursday’s announcement, Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell took to social media to address the possibility of a new pipeline coming through town.
Blackwell said that, over seven months ago, he had a conversation with a member of the B.C. government about the likelihood of a Trans Mountain phase three pipeline in the area.
“My feeling is it would be the obvious route to follow for a number of reasons. Established route, recent agreements with all First Nations, recent Environmental Assessments, a work plan that could basically be a copy and paste,” Blackwell said.
“That person in the B.C. Government agreed that all my points were valid. They did not confirm that I was right, but they did not deny it.”
Blackwell said in his post that, due to the proposed Yellowhead Copper project that is also in the works for the Clearwater area, the region is now looking at a “double whammy.” He also alluded to a potential second mine, which he said is “getting active as well.
“We will need both the provincial and federal governments to step up fast if we are going to weather so much activity all at once. Hang on to your hats,” he said.
Black Press Media spoke with Blackwell for further comments on the possibility of a new pipeline project in the Clearwater area.
“I have some pretty deep concerns about this after the last one, and that’s my job as mayor, to deal with the potential impacts in this town,” he said.
The Clearwater mayor mentioned a few items that he will be advocating for in relation to the proposed project.
He said he has a “fairly good list” of asks for the provincial and federal governments, including stronger law enforcement.
From Trans Mountain, he’ll be asking that they do business with licensed and regulated businesses in town.
He would also ask the provincial government for highway improvements through the region. He said the town would need an improvement to the Wells Gray roundabout, passing lanes on the highway north and south of town and throughout the region, and proper intersections in places like Blackpool, he said.
“These are some of the side asks.”
Blackwell spoke about the need for improvements to Dunn Lake Road, saying it’s an emergency access road, and there is a lot of activity the Simpcw First Nation gets involved with regarding pipelines on the road.
“That road needs to be much better than it is now,” he said.
Regarding Clearwater absorbing population growth that could come with the proposed project, Blackwell referred to the previous 550-person camp Trans Mountain operated. He estimated the project brought between 1,600 and 1,800 people to town at various points, and noted the 550-person camp did not hold the majority of them.
The rest of the workers were absorbed into the community in private lodgings like Airbnbs, hotels, motels, and RV parks.
Blackwell said the first time around, that wasn’t so bad, because it was during the COVID years, and tourism was non-existent due to travel restrictions.
“Trans Mountain was able to come in and fill a lot of hotels, motels, and accommodations around town. And you know, quite frankly, save a lot of people’s butts, and a lot of people made a lot of money off that,” he said. “That’s not going to happen this time.”
Blackwell said they need to continue the tourism industry while also having workers in town, which would require “a much different plan” if the new pipeline project comes to fruition.
“I think this needs to be an all-hands-on-deck project this time,” he said. “The business community as a whole needs to get involved in this.
“We all need to be talking about this and be on the same page on this and understand each other’s needs — wants, needs, goals, to get out of this or get through this, depending on your point of view.”
Overall, Blackwell said he’s “not exactly thrilled” with the idea of a new pipeline coming through town.
“But it’s not my job to be happy or unhappy about this. It’s my job to do my job for the District of Clearwater, the residents of Clearwater, and get them the best protections and the best deal out of this that I possibly can.”
He said if the project doesn’t happen, he’d be okay with it, and if it takes years to happen, he’d also be okay with that, especially given the two projects happening in the same general timeline.
“I really hope that this proceeds at a cautious, intelligent, well-planned pace, versus a rush to get it done in order to do some sort of national unity project before people have to go to election again in other provinces, which is what I feel a lot of this is about. This is about retaining Canadian sovereignty,” the mayor said.
“It’s really hard for Alberta separatists to separate from, or attempt to separate from Canada if the government of Canada is funding a major pipeline project that will benefit them financially.”
Blackwell said he thinks public support in town is going to be mixed, but he thinks it will lean more on the favourable side.