Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
23m ago

Eby Denounces Alberta’s West Coast Pipeline Bid as ‘Fictional’

Alberta plans to file a federal application by May after seeding early design work with an industry‑Indigenous advisory group.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pushed back on opposition to a pipeline heading East at the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal on Monday.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answers questions during a fireside chat at the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal in Montreal on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
B.C. Premier David Eby, left, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

Overview

  • British Columbia Premier David Eby said Alberta’s proposal lacks First Nations consent, a private proponent, a defined route and financing, warning it could jeopardize B.C. projects and the Great Bear Rainforest.
  • Alberta last week allocated C$14 million for early planning and Indigenous engagement, formed a technical advisory group with Enbridge, Trans Mountain and South Bow, and said it will act as the temporary proponent until private investors step in.
  • The province aims to submit an application to Ottawa’s Major Projects Office by next May for a 42‑inch pipeline to Prince Rupert or Kitimat, with Energy Minister Brian Jean citing potential capacity of up to one million barrels per day for Asian markets.
  • Coastal First Nations leaders reiterated they will not accept crude oil shipments through their waters, and the First Nations Major Projects Coalition said it was not contacted about Alberta’s outreach.
  • Major hurdles remain, including the federal tanker ban on B.C.’s north coast, Canada’s Impact Assessment regime and the 2016 court ruling that quashed Northern Gateway, as Premier Danielle Smith frames the effort as a national project ultimately to be built by the private sector.