Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and B.C. Premier David Eby have found common ground on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, according to Smith. The two premiers met with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Parliament Hill to discuss the project and its potential impact on the Canadian economy. Smith emphasized the shared interests between the provinces, including the development of LNG, the integration of electricity markets, and the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
The premiers also discussed the importance of consulting with First Nations communities and ensuring their involvement in the decision-making process. Smith assured that Alberta will release a new pipeline proposal in June, providing further details on the project's route and potential supporters.
Eby, on the other hand, expressed a willingness to support the new pipeline if the tanker ban remains in place. He highlighted the importance of Western Canada's role in the Canadian economy and the need for a collaborative approach to pipeline projects. Carney, who met with Eby before the premiers' discussion, aims to foster a united front among the premiers, emphasizing a sense of 'Team Canada'.
The federal government's memorandum of understanding with Alberta, signed in November, signals a significant shift in the relationship between Ottawa and the provinces. However, the lack of a private sector proponent and a preferred route for the pipeline has been a point of contention. Eby has criticized proposals for a new pipeline to the north coast, which would require exemptions to the oil tanker ban, but he remains open to alternatives such as expanding the capacity of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline.
The Trans Mountain pipeline, owned by the federal government, underwent an expansion project in 2018, becoming operational in 2024. The government has explored various options to enhance capacity along the existing route, including dredging the port of Vancouver. The premiers' meeting also addressed broader economic concerns, such as the impact of higher U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports and the need for increased federal funding for healthcare.
