Ottawa Advances National Interest Designation for West Coast Pipeline

The Canadian government has taken a significant step towards approving the construction of the West Coast pipeline, a major project backed by the Alberta government. The pipeline would carry up to one million barrels of crude oil per day from Bruderheim, Alta., to a port near Delta, B.C., for international shipment.

Pembina, a company with an 10% ownership stake in the project, has the option to purchase an additional 10% once the pipeline is operational. The government's notice indicates that Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc will work with Alberta and British Columbia on the project while consultations with Indigenous communities are underway.

The Alberta government welcomed the development but noted it was just one step in the process to determine whether the project would be listed as a Project of National Interest. Critics, including NDP Leader Avi Lewis, have denounced the pipeline as 'corporate welfare' and questioned its alignment with Canada's climate goals.