Pipelines Become National Priority as Ottawa Accelerates Approval Process
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has stated that pipelines have become a national priority for Canada's energy infrastructure. This shift comes as the federal government moves to overhaul its approval process for major projects, aiming to accelerate reviews and decisions.
The proposed legislation, Bill C-39, would allow Ottawa to make decisions within one year of receiving a project proposal. This is in line with the Major Projects Office's approach, which has shown promise in streamlining the review process.
Ottawa and Alberta are already working together on a new West Coast oil pipeline, with a target decision date of September 2027 if the project is listed for an accelerated federal process. This renewed focus on pipeline development brings together industry representatives from around the world at the International Pipeline Conference & Expo in Calgary.