Carney to Designate West Coast Pipeline Project of National Interest
Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce that an oil pipeline to the West Coast will be designated as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. This decision comes after Ottawa and Alberta signed an energy pact in November 2025, which committed the federal government to declaring the pipeline a project in the national interest.
Carney is scheduled to deliver the news alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Fort McMurray, Alta. The designation would be the first project to receive it since Ottawa passed Bill C-5 more than a year ago. The act gives Ottawa the power to issue special conditions for projects covering a dozen federal laws to help them proceed.
Lance Mortlock, managing partner at EY Canada, noted that there's a 'chicken and egg' scenario between constructing a massive new pipeline and expanding oilsands production to fill it long-term. Industry has welcomed Ottawa's moves to simplify the regulatory process and roll back environmental policies.