Canada's Pacific Oil Pipeline Gets Boost Amid Alberta Separatist Tensions

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has fast-tracked a proposed oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast, dubbed Pacific Link. This move aims to reduce Canada's dependence on the United States and strengthen relations with oil-rich Alberta as separatists push for a referendum on leaving Canada.

The pipeline would transport 1 million barrels of crude per day from Bruderheim, northeast of Edmonton, to a deepwater port near Delta, British Columbia. It would largely follow the existing Trans Mountain corridor and load crude onto tankers bound for global markets.

Carney appeared with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Fort McMurray, who has long complained that her predecessor Justin Trudeau hindered Alberta's energy industry and fueled separatist sentiment. Smith said she would vote to keep Alberta in Canada.