Canada's Pipeline Safety Record Surpasses Expectations

Canada's energy sector is often at the center of controversy, particularly when it comes to proposed oil pipelines. Two such projects aim to link Alberta to British Columbia and Ontario, respectively, but have faced opposition from environmental groups and politicians.

However, a closer look at the data reveals that pipeline safety has improved significantly over the past decade. According to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB), reportable incidents involving pipelines decreased by 42% between 2014 and 2024, even as oil and gas transportation volumes increased by 37%.

This trend is evident in the rate of pipeline safety events per million barrels transported, which dropped from 0.068 in 2014 to 0.028 in 2024, a decrease of approximately 59.3%. Additionally, product releases accounted for 83.2% of all pipeline safety events in 2014, but only 20.6% by 2024.

The importance of these improvements cannot be overstated, particularly given the economic significance of Canada's oil and gas sector. In 2025, this industry generated $218.1 billion in economic activity and supported over 520,000 jobs directly or indirectly.