Canada advances West Coast oil pipeline designation

The Canada — Government of Canada is advancing the process to designate the proposed West Coast Oil Pipeline as a 'national interest' project under the Building Canada Act. A notice published in the Canada Gazette on Aug. 1 sets a Sept. 18 deadline for public comments. The 1,250-kilometre pipeline would transport up to one million barrels of crude oil per day from Bruderheim, Canada — Alberta to Delta, Canada — British Columbia for export. The project is being advanced by Trans Mountain pipeline, Canada — Ministry of Energy and Minerals (Alberta), and Pembina Pipeline, which will form a new jointly owned entity. Pembina holds a 10% ownership stake with an option to purchase an additional 10% once operational. The federal government aims to designate the project by Oct. 1, 2026 and approve it by Sept. 1, 2027, with completion targeted by 2034. The designation would fast-track approvals and exempt the project from some environmental reviews. The pipeline is a central component of an energy agreement between the federal and Canada — Alberta governments. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on July 2 that the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act would remain in place, and Canada — Alberta Premier Danielle Sell confirmed the pipeline would terminate on Canada — British Columbia's southern coast. Environmental groups and the NDP have criticized the project, calling it environmentally risky and 'corporate welfare.' The government has already moved three other projects toward national interest designation.