Canada Moves to Designate West Coast Pipeline as Project of National Interest

The Canadian government has taken steps to designate the West Coast pipeline as a Project of National Interest. The pipeline, which is backed by Alberta and would carry up to one million barrels of crude oil per day from Bruderheim, Alta. to Delta, B.C., has been proposed as part of an energy agreement between the federal and Alberta governments.

Pembina has a 10% ownership stake in the construction of the pipeline and has an option to purchase an additional 10% once it is operational.

The government's notice states that Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc will work with the Alberta and B.C. governments on the project while consultations with Indigenous communities are underway.

Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean welcomed the development, but noted that it is just one step in the process to determine whether the project will be listed as a Project of National Interest.