Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced her government’s commitment of $14 million to fund early regulatory work for a proposed pipeline that aims to transport oil from northern Alberta to the northwest coast of British Columbia. It is now up to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government to determine if they will allow the project to proceed. To date, they have withheld their consent.
Smith’s initiative highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the pipeline’s viability. The project counts on the federal government all but abandoning certain environmental safeguards. As an example, this should hopefully spell the end of the current West Coast tanker ban. On the environment front, Premier Smith is busy trying to get a new and improved Northern Gateway pipeline proposal resubmitted to the feds’ Major Projects Office by spring. She’s met some fierce pushback from key players in neighbouring British Columbia.
B.C. Premier David Eby has called the pipeline proposal “fictional.” As he eloquently puts it, “When there are community divides on an issue, you risk losing the goodwill and social license required for other major regional projects to succeed. He argues that local support will be necessary for any kind of infrastructure deal to move forward.
Heiltsuk Chief Marilyn Slett, currently president of Coastal First Nations, issued this statement. She acknowledged that “Alberta has some catching up to do.” Beyond the technical details, Slett was firm that Alberta needs to do better on the environment. Deeply engaging with Indigenous communities is absolutely necessary before any project can even be considered.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed cautious support for infrastructure projects that provide material economic benefits, align with climate objectives, and offer tangible advantages for Indigenous Peoples. He stated, “This government will engage with proposals that have a possibility or prospect of achieving those.” He underscored the importance of significant leadership from the B.C. government. Affected First Nations need to be at the table to discuss the future of the now-built pipeline.
… a proposal just won’t get any traction.” Federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson echoed this sentiment at a recent Senate inquiry. He noted, “To build, you need support of the jurisdiction you build through, and you need the support of First Nations.” His comments illustrate the challenges facing anyone trying to move the needle on a big infrastructure project.
Even with all of the controversy surrounding the project, an online survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute indicates that a majority of Canadians (59 percent) still support the $7.4 billion pipeline project. Among respondents in British Columbia, 56 percent support it too. Fifty-two percent of B.C. respondents agreed that provinces through which a pipeline runs should have the right to veto projects. They believe this authority should only be used when certain conditions are satisfied.
In retaliation to Eby’s resolute opposition to the pipeline, Smith called his position “un-Canadian” and “unconstitutional.” She makes the case that Alberta’s interests are being misrepresented by the provincial opposition. She calls on the federal government to undertake bold measures to enable her province’s economic aspirations.
As talks go back and forth, stakeholders are still split on the possible benefits and detrimental effects of the new pipeline. Winters said. Sam Blackett, spokesperson for a pro-pipeline group, stated, “We expect him to act decisively and in support of this project.” He warned that failure to do so would betray Alberta’s constitutional rights and cast doubt on Canada’s adherence to democratic principles.
Marilyn Slett countered this perspective, asserting that “Premier Smith’s continued talk of oil pipelines and tankers, and the risk of a catastrophic oil spill in B.C.’s coastal waters, is not nation-building.” Her comments spotlight the critical need of communication at all levels. We need to communicate with one another to get through the difficult path ahead on this heated and difficult topic.
