Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated that her province and the federal government are about 80% aligned on a potential pipeline project to expand Alberta’s oil export capacity. Under the emerging framework, Alberta would oversee initial planning, including route design, cost estimates, and engineering, while construction would fall to private operators. Major pipeline firms such as Enbridge, South Bow, and Trans Mountain have already offered technical and advisory support. If completed, the line could transport as much as 1 million barrels of crude per day.
A central condition from Ottawa is that Alberta advance the Pathways carbon capture and storage initiative as part of its climate commitments. However, uncertainty remains over British Columbia’s northwest tanker ban, a policy that industry leaders argue must be lifted for the project to be viable. Enbridge’s CEO has warned that investment will not proceed without guaranteed tanker access, while BC Premier David Eby has reinforced his province’s opposition to lifting the ban. More