How close is Canada to a new West Coast oil pipeline? Here’s where it stands

OTTAWA — If you’re wondering how close Canada actually is to building a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast, this Spelled Out explainer video has you covered.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Fort McMurray on Oct. 1 to unveil major developments for the proposed pipeline. Now renamed the Pacific Link, it’s being designated a project of national interest, which will put it on a regulatory fast track.

If all goes to plan, there’s enough money coming out of this pipe to seriously boost Canada’s economy. But it’s far from a sure thing with many kinks still left to straighten.

Both Indigenous groups and environmentalists have voiced opposition to the proposed pipeline, the former for lack of consultation, the latter for its negative effects on climate change and the marine life in the path of oil tankers.

Business groups, on the other hand, are very supportive of the idea, though not with their own money yet.

In the spring, the Government of Alberta submitted a West Coast pipeline as its biggest contribution to Carney’s major projects initiative. Those are the projects to be nationally promoted under the Building Canada Act.

It’s all part of Carney’s mantra of controlling what you can in spite of unpredictable things, like U.S. trade.

“Our government was elected to change things, to build Canada strong, and we’re doing just that,” Carney said at the announcement.

The proposed route will run 1,200 kilometres from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a proposed port in Roberts Bank, B.C. Heavy oil from Alberta’s oil sands would be shipped ideally to Asia, where it could get better prices than the U.S. pays.

The pipeline is expected to generate more than $20 billion in GDP per year and add $100 billion in government revenue by 2060.

It’s also projected to create 140,000 jobs across the country.

For a deep dive on the issue, check out the video above.

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