There is an agreement, a memorandum of understanding between Alberta and Ottawa laying out a path for a bitumen pipeline to the northwest B.C. coast?
Prime Minister Mark Carney is on board. He is expected to travel to Calgary for the announcement this coming week? Of course, the devil will be in the details.
B.C. Premier David Eby is mad as hell as B.C. NDP leaders have been mad as hell in the past.
Alberta and Ottawa agree to a deal outlining a path to a new pipeline
apple.news
So how real is this?
Alberta's First Nations are exploring potential funding and ownership stakes in a proposed oil pipeline to British Columbia's northwest coast, though support is divided. While some First Nations are engaging with the Alberta government on this project, viewing it as an opportunity for economic gain, others are skeptical or opposed due to environmental concerns, and some coastal First Nations have declared firm opposition. The Alberta government is leading the project proposal as the proponent and is engaging with Indigenous communities for input and partnership from the outset.
For a potential pipeline to B.C.'s northwest coast
Alberta's role: The Alberta government is leading the application as the proponent for a new oil pipeline to the northwest B.C. coast.
Government approach: The government is taking a collaborative approach, engaging with Indigenous communities from the start to seek input and offer potential co-ownership and financial stakes.
Potential for funding and ownership: First Nations could potentially gain a financial stake and ownership in the project as a form of "economic reconciliation," a process also seen in a past natural gas pipeline deal with Enbridge.
Divided support:
Some Indigenous leaders are cautiously optimistic, seeing the project as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" and noting that opposition is not unanimous, as detailed by CTV News.
Other First Nations, particularly those on the B.C. coast, are expressing strong opposition to any new pipeline and oil tanker activity in their waters due to environmental risks, as reported by APTN News and The Globe and Mail.
Key considerations
B.C. government opposition: The B.C. government opposes the project, citing environmental concerns and the existing oil tanker moratorium, and has stated the proposal is unrealistic without a proponent, reports The Tyee and CBC.
Future steps: Alberta plans to submit a formal application to the Federal Major Projects Office in the spring, contingent on continued engagement and support from First Nations.
Federal involvement: The federal government's approval will depend on, among other things, agreement from the province and First Nations, which currently appears unlikely, according to Global News and The Tyee.