Premier Scott Moe has expressed his backing for Alberta’s new pipeline proposal, stressing that the final decision should not be vetoed by any entity outside the federal government.
Moe emphasized the collective ownership of Canada’s coasts and ports, dismissing concerns raised by B.C. Premier David Eby and various Indigenous groups in British Columbia. He believes that diversifying the country’s economy away from the U.S. could be best achieved through this project.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently announced plans to submit an application for a new pipeline transporting bitumen from Alberta to the northwest coast of British Columbia. The province intends to allocate $14 million towards the proposal and lead a technical advisory group involving Enbridge, South Bow, and Trans Mountain. The ultimate goal is to secure a private company or consortium to execute the pipeline construction.
While a specific route for the pipeline has not been proposed yet, Alberta is expected to submit its application in spring 2026.
The initial announcement from Alberta sparked mixed reactions nationwide. B.C. Premier David Eby criticized the project as vague and overly dependent on government funding. Conversely, Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre supported the pipeline, advocating for private investors to lead the construction due to its profitability.
Despite some opposition from Indigenous leaders in B.C., Premier Moe dismissed the notion of external groups having a veto over the project, emphasizing the importance of consulting Indigenous communities during the process.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently unveiled a series of nation-building projects slated for fast-tracking, including Saskatchewan’s McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project. This project, set to commence operations in 2026 near Creighton, is expected to create hundreds of jobs and contribute to the province’s economic growth.
Federal Minister for Energy and Resources Tim Hodgson hinted at additional project announcements in the pipeline, with Premier Moe expressing interest in various mining ventures in Saskatchewan. Of note is the proposed “port-to-port” pipeline corridor linking Prince Rupert in B.C. to Churchill, Man., an idea discussed at a meeting of western premiers earlier this year.