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Premier Danielle Smith expects Prime Minister Mark Carney to ‘act decisively’ in support of Alberta’s pipeline to the B.C. coast
As British Columbia opposes a new oil pipeline to the province’s northern coast, the federal government is under pressure to choose a side on a highly divisive project that it insists remains “hypothetical.”
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said during a recent hearing in Ottawa that he’s working with premiers in B.C. and Alberta to strengthen the economy. But he also noted Premier Danielle Smith’s government “has some work to do” in convincing her coastal neighbour of the proposal’s benefits.
“If they want to build, that’s something between the province of Alberta and the province of British Columbia,” Hodgson said, adding that the federal government will be “a constructive participant” in that discussion.
The comments sparked criticism from some industry insiders and political opponents, who argued the Liberals appeared to be waffling on support for new energy infrastructure.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government continues to believe in “nation-building projects, in both clean and conventional energy.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney announces the federal government’s first five megaprojects under consideration for fast-tracking during a press conference at the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre in Edmonton on Sept. 11, 2025. David Bloom/Postmedia
Carney said the projects must have economic benefits, link different parts of Canada’s economy, be consistent with climate objectives and provide benefits and participation for Indigenous people.
“Those elements . . . can come together in a pipeline to the West Coast,” he said.
Smith’s office said Friday that the decision to build the pipeline lies solely with Carney and the federal government.
“We expect him to act decisively and in support of this project,” the statement read. “Anything short of that will be a betrayal of constitutional rights of Alberta’s citizens.”
Eby and some Indigenous groups have expressed stark opposition to Alberta’s proposal, which could bring one million barrels per day to tidewater.
Smith’s office noted that the federal government has control over interprovincial trade and commerce.
“The reason for that is so a single parochial premier cannot block the export of the most valuable asset of five million Albertans,” Smith’s office said in a statement.
Some industry watchers are now casting doubt on the government’s willingness to follow through with its nation-building agenda.
“We still don’t know what (Carney’s) position on Northern Gateway is,” said Heather Exner-Pirot, director of energy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute think-tank. “At some point, I guess, you need to support a project or not.”
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