Carney-Smith Pipeline Deal Hits Snags as Deadlines Loom

The deal between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to build a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast is facing early challenges, according to Smith.

Smith said that the first set of deadlines outlined in the energy and climate deal are not expected to be met, with delays in negotiations on key agreements.

The memorandum of understanding signed last November includes specific deadlines for reaching co-operation agreements on impact assessments, methane equivalency, carbon pricing equivalency, and a trilateral MOU with the Pathways companies.

While working together on the first agreement is complete, Smith said that deals on industrial carbon tax and working with oilsands companies to develop the Pathways carbon capture project are proving more difficult.