The Alberta government is set to prepare and submit a formal application to the federal Major Projects Office for a new bitumen pipeline to the northwest coast of British Columbia. This initiative involves a commitment of $14 million from the province, which will also lead a technical advisory group comprising major pipeline companies like Enbridge, South Bow, and Trans Mountain, although their direct involvement in the project’s execution is not guaranteed.
Currently, no specific route for the pipeline has been proposed, and the province aims to identify potential routes as part of its upcoming tasks. Both the federal government and the British Columbia government have been informed of Alberta’s intentions. Indigenous groups, including the Fort McKay First Nation and the National Coalition of Chiefs, have been engaged in the initial stages of the project.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasized that the project application goes beyond just a pipeline and is crucial for unlocking Canada’s economic potential. The province cites the need to take the lead on the application as private industry is hesitant to commit capital to such a project due to existing federal regulations, notably the 2019 restrictions on oil tankers in B.C.’s northern waters.
Smith expressed optimism about Ottawa revising the tanker restrictions and highlighted the province’s intention to push for reforms to the Impact Assessment Act and the proposed federal cap on oil and gas sector emissions. The ultimate goal is to secure a private sector entity or consortium to construct and operate the new bitumen pipeline.
Alberta’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Larry Kaumeyer, mentioned that the province anticipates private sector interest in the project and clarified that Alberta does not intend to develop or operate the pipeline itself. The application to the Major Projects Office is expected to be submitted in the spring of 2026.
In response to the proposal, British Columbia Premier David Eby criticized the lack of concrete details and heavy reliance on government involvement. Eby highlighted existing private sector projects in B.C. that are ready for development and cautioned about the potential economic and environmental risks associated with Alberta’s pipeline proposal.
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre voiced support for the pipeline, advocating for private investors to take the lead in its construction. He criticized what he perceived as government interference hindering the profitability of such projects. Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson affirmed the federal government’s commitment to evaluating all project proposals objectively and in line with national objectives.
The announcement from Alberta follows ongoing discussions between federal and provincial governments, as well as private industry, regarding major infrastructure projects across Canada. Alberta’s efforts to attract private sector participation in a new crude oil pipeline to coastal waters align with the broader infrastructure development discussions at the national level.
Despite the progress made in discussions, specific project proposals have yet to be officially presented. The establishment of the Major Projects Office in Calgary and the identification of priority projects by the federal government signal a concerted effort to accelerate infrastructure development, although Alberta’s pipeline proposal is not currently part of the fast-tracked projects.