Alberta Pipeline Proposal Sparks Concerns for Jasper National Park

A proposed Alberta oil pipeline would transport over one million barrels of crude per day through Jasper National Park, raising concerns about industrial development in the protected area.

The West Coast Oil Pipeline would follow a similar route to the existing Trans Mountain Crossing pipeline, which passes through the park. Approximately seven percent of the new pipeline's route would be within the national park's boundaries.

Kecia Kerr, executive director of Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northern Alberta, stated that while the proposed pipeline route may be better for nature than an alternative northern route, any new pipeline poses risks to the environment and local wildlife. She expressed concern about the impact on southern resident orcas and chinook salmon due to increased oil tanker traffic.

The government has proposed legislative changes that would exempt specific projects from the jeopardy test, potentially allowing the West Coast pipeline to be built without considering environmental concerns. The discussion paper suggests creating special economic zones for transportation corridors, telecommunications networks, energy production, and transmission, which could have implications for national parks like Jasper.