Alberta’s West Coast pipeline is now up for public review with a shot at federal fast-tracking.
A notice published in a supplement to the Canada Gazette states that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet may add the proposed pipeline to a list of projects considered to be in the national interest.
A listing is a fast track, not a green light. It streamlines federal approvals and hands the Major Projects Office the power to set conditions. It does not allow construction crews to suddenly start digging.
Premier Danielle Smith’s government filed the proposal in early July, with hopes that construction could start as early as Sept. 1, 2027.
The pipeline would run roughly 1,250 kilometres from a terminal near Bruderheim, northeast of Edmonton, to a marine terminal in southern British Columbia. The line, which would move a million barrels a day to tankers destined for Asia, would follow much of the existing Trans Mountain corridor, so it needs no change to the northern coast tanker ban.
And the cost? Alberta’s own submission pegs the build at $35.2 billion to $43.7 billion — the pricey neighbourhood the Trans Mountain expansion ended up in after it was supposed to cost $5.4 billion.
Ownership is split largely between government-owned Trans Mountain Corp, and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, owned by the province. Trans Mountain would build and run the line while Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp. would take 10 per cent through construction, with room to go higher once oil is flowing.
No ink is dry on any of this. Alberta calls the deal non-binding, and Pembina said it’s targeting September for definitive agreements.
The precise route is still to be determined. Smith said in July that funding and the cost to taxpayers remain to be negotiated. The Canada Gazette notice says consultation with Indigenous communities is underway.
Ottawa has said it will give notice by Oct. 1 if it intends to list the project for fast-tracking — just 18 days before Albertans vote on Oct. 19 on 10 referendum questions, one of which asks whether the province should begin the legal process toward a binding vote on leaving Canada.
To have your say email the Major Projects Office at WCOPcomment-commentaireOCO@mpo-bgp.gc.ca before Sept. 18. The notice does not say when cabinet will decide.
Related