On October 1, the Alberta government announced that it plans to submit a proposal to the federal government’s Major Projects Office (MPO) for the construction of a new oil sands (bitumen: extra-heavy oil) pipeline along the northwest coast of British Columbia (BC). The MPO is a newly established agency by the federal government that assists in expediting approval processes and securing funding for large-scale national projects that are deemed priority projects.
Alberta Premier Daniel Smith said in a statement, “This plan is more than just a pipeline proposal; it’s about unlocking Canada’s economic potential.” The provincial government will contribute $14 million to the project and lead it as the driving force. The technical advisory group includes the three major pipeline companies, Enbridge, South Bow, and Trans Mountain, but there is no guarantee that these companies will participate in the actual project.
The specific route of the pipeline is still being worked out, and some Indigenous groups are involved in the planning.
The provincial government is the main applicant for the plan because it is difficult for private companies to invest the necessary capital due to the impact of tanker restrictions on northern British Columbia waters. Premier Smith said he has already approached Premier Mark Carney about lifting the tanker restrictions and believes the outlook is bright.
British Columbia Premier David Eby, on the other hand, criticized the plan as “a hollow project that relies on taxpayer money and has no private sector backers.” He said he wants to work with Alberta on other large-scale infrastructure projects involving the private sector, such as hydrogen and electricity. He also said the tanker restrictions are fundamental to protecting the coast for British Columbia residents and First Nations.
Coastal First Nations, a coalition of coastal indigenous peoples, also rejected Alberta’s proposal, warning that the pipeline would threaten coastal waters and the environment.