B.C. Opposes Public Funds for Alberta Oil Pipeline Plan

Photo: Reuters

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is strongly pushing for a new oil pipeline that would reach British Columbia’s northern coast. But B.C. Premier David Eby says he is not completely against the idea—he just doesn’t want the public to pay for it.

Speaking on Sunday, Eby explained that he does not support using billions of taxpayer dollars to build another pipeline when Canada already owns one: the Trans Mountain pipeline. That existing pipeline has extra space and can carry 200,000 more barrels of oil per day, he said.

“There is no company stepping up to build this pipeline right now,” Eby added. “And there is no funding for it either.”

While Smith continues to promote the idea, she is still searching for private companies that might be interested. She has mentioned Prince Rupert, B.C., as a possible endpoint for the project. That location was chosen to avoid Kitimat, which was the planned end for the canceled Northern Gateway pipeline.

Eby, however, said he wants to focus on projects that are already approved and ready to begin. “We have projects where private companies have the money and are ready to start hiring workers and building—those are the ones we need to move forward with,” he said.

He also listed several energy projects already underway in British Columbia. These include the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, the Ksi Lisims LNG project north of Prince Rupert, hydroelectric projects, mining operations, and renewable energy projects like wind and solar. He added that these projects are planned to be linked with the Yukon and Alberta.

Eby pointed out that he recently signed an agreement with other Western Canadian premiers to create a trade corridor. This agreement could include large energy projects, even those involving heavy oil. But he said any proposal for a new pipeline must consider existing laws—especially the federal ban on oil tankers along the northern coast.

That ban stops tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude or persistent oil from loading or unloading at nearly all ports along the north coast of British Columbia. This rule is a major obstacle to any new pipeline that might end in that region.

Danielle Smith has said she believes she can change Eby’s mind by explaining the pipeline’s benefits. She says the project could bring billions in new revenue to Canada. “It’s either Team Canada or it’s not,” she said earlier. “We need to find out what each province is concerned about and work together to solve those issues.”

Smith also shared that Alberta is looking to bring private-sector builders on board to make the pipeline happen.

At the national level, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he supports faster construction of large infrastructure projects, but only if all provinces agree. “We will not force a project on any province,” he stated during a press event.