Canada Seeks to โคDiversify Oil Exports, Sparking Coastal Opposition
Alberta and teh โขCanadian federal government haveโค agreed to explore the construction of a pipeline to the Pacific Coast,โ aiming to reduce the province’s reliance on the United States for oil exports. The move comes as concerns grow over the โคvulnerability of canada’s heavily U.S.-focused trade relationships.
Former Bank of England โGovernor Mark Carney, a key figure inโ the initiative, stated โขthat Canada’s close ties with the U.S., “onc a strength,” haveโ become a โฃweakness, especially as the U.S.reconfigures its โคown trading partnerships. Currently, over 95% of canada’s energy exports go to the โขUnited States.Carney has โset a goal to double Canada’s non-U.S.exports within the next decade, citing American tariffs as a deterrent toโ investment.He believes a pipeline could also lessen โฃthe price discount currently applied to Canadian oil sold โto U.S. markets.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith anticipates the pipelineโ could facilitate the export of over 1 million barrels of oil perโฃ day, primarily to Asian markets. the agreement includes a potential adjustment to the existing oil tanker ban off โpartsโ of the British Columbia coast, contingent on the pipeline’s progress.
However, the proposal facesโ important opposition, particularly from โขBritish Columbia. Premier David Eby argues the project lacks a proponent, permits, and even a defined route,โข calling the agreement a โฃ”distraction” from viable projects. Coastal First Nations have alsoโข voiced strong objections, โฃwith President Marilyn Slett stating they have “zero interest” in economic benefits from โa project that threatens their way of life.
This isn’t the first attempt to build a pipeline to the Pacific.while the federal government under Justin โTrudeau approved one controversial pipeline in 2016โฃ – which the government โultimately had to build itself due to opposition – the Northern Gateway project,which would have transported 525,000 barrels daily โto Asia,wasโข rejected.
The current agreement links the pipeline project toโ a proposed carbon capture โinitiative, requiring both to be developed in tandem. Ottawa and Alberta will collaborate to identify new emissions-reductionโ projects to โbe launched starting โคin 2027, with a deadline ofโ April 1st โfor identification. Carney emphasized that the success of the pipeline โขhinges onโข securing a private sector proponent โคto leadโ the project.
