Alberta’s West Coast pipeline is now up for public review with a shot at federal fast-tracking.<\/p>\n
A notice<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n A listing\u00a0is a fast track, not a green light. It streamlines federal approvals and hands the Major Projects\u00a0Office\u00a0the power to set conditions. It does not\u00a0allow\u00a0construction crews\u00a0to\u00a0suddenly\u00a0start\u00a0digging.<\/p>\n Premier Danielle Smith’s government filed the proposal in early July, with hopes that construction could start as early as Sept. 1, 2027.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n And the cost? Alberta’s own submission pegs the build at $35.2 billion to $43.7 billion \u2014 the pricey neighbourhood the Trans Mountain expansion ended up in after it was supposed to cost $5.4 billion.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n No ink is dry on any of this. Alberta calls the deal non-binding, and Pembina said it’s targeting September for definitive agreements.<\/p>\n The precise route is still to be\u00a0determined. Smith said in July that funding and the cost to taxpayers remain to be negotiated. The\u00a0Canada\u00a0Gazette\u00a0notice says\u00a0consultation with Indigenous\u00a0communities is underway.<\/p>\n Ottawa has said it will give notice by Oct. 1 if it intends to list the project for fast-tracking \u2014 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.<\/p>\n To have your\u00a0say email the Major Projects Office at\u00a0WCOPcomment-commentaireOCO@mpo-bgp.gc.ca<\/a>\u00a0before\u00a0Sept.\u00a018. The notice does not say when\u00a0cabinet\u00a0will decide.<\/p>\n