There appears to be renewed interest in the creation of another oil pipeline running through B.C.
The war in Iran is driving down the world supply of oil and countries are scrambling to find alternative sources, so the Trans Mountain Pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby is operating at full tilt and could be at full capacity by April.
“People are looking for where can I get a little more supply, so that’s part of the reason why we see April basically at capacity,” TMX CEO Mark Maki told Global News over the phone on Thursday.
The surge in demand is further fuelling plans to speed up the expansion of Trans Mountain’s capacity and sparking new calls to build a new pipeline to move oil from Alberta to the B.C. coast.
“When we look at the data, we need to have more capacity and infrastructure to transport Canadian exploration,” Gabriel Giguere, a senior policy analyst with the MEI Institute, said.
However, B.C.’s NDP government has long argued that with no private investor, another oil pipeline is a non-starter.
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“They haven’t got a proponent, it’s a very expensive proposal and there are dramatically cheaper alternatives,” B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix said.
However, Greg Ebel, CEO of Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge, said on Bloomberg Television that the investment climate is not there yet, but it is starting to clear up.
When asked if the Alberta pipeline would be a “hard no,” Ebel said he wouldn’t draw that line.
“What I would say is that the conditions don’t yet exist for that pipeline to be built,” he said. “If my customers get the green light to produce, Enbridge is the largest mover of oil in North America and is going to be there.”
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B.C.’s Coastal First Nations said late last year that they will use “every tool in their toolbox” to keep oil tankers out of the northern coastal waters.
Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative and elected Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation, said in a statement at the time that this pipeline is “nothing more than a pipe dream.”
In November, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a memorandum of understanding that commits them to working toward building an oil pipeline to the West Coast.
B.C. Premier David Eby said the B.C. government needs to make sure this pipeline project doesn’t become an “energy vampire.”
Smith said she plans to submit a proposal to the federal government in June for a new pipeline to B.C.’s coast.
–with files from Ben O’Hara Byrne
Better coverage from Jason Murray than what we receive from the Canadian media.
Thanks Jason, Well Said, Well Done !!!
I learned more from the quick read of your comment than an hour of investment in the reciprocal babbling of various news outlets.
I am very concerned that Global News is even consulting and quoting “Coastal First Nations” without properly disclosing who they are.
They are NOT a conglomeration of First Nation Bands.
They are a Non-Profit Environmental Entity funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and other American Oil shareholders. Their mandate is to systematically oppose any and all Canadian Oil Projects, with the sole hope of keeping Canadian Resources land locked and hopelessly dependant on the US.
Shame on you Global. You are feeding the deceit. Shame on you.
why doesn’t Alberta build two new refineries first, an upgrader and a regular gasoline one, so that we can get full value from the tar sands and not discount it to the Americans and then buy it back at full price as car fuel.
Yes Earl we remember the Exon Valdez. That was a very long time ago, and there have been monumental changes to shipping safety and hull design engineering since then. I guess you avoid flying because of what happened to the Hindenberg?
The oil tanker moratorium has to be extended to the southern half of BC’s coast. Remember the Exxon Valdez. No tar sands oil tankers for BC. Only small, coastal product tankers carrying refined petroleum products should be allowed to transit BC waters.
I just realized another oil pipeline in Alberta would be projected to boost the economy by increasing export capacity, potentially adding over $31 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and supporting over 100,000 jobs. It would improve oil prices, reduce dependence on the U.S. market, and increase revenue for governments. I have these moments of normalcy and a basic ability to use the internet for research, but most of the time i’m a total moron! lol
Ukraine isn’t doing f *uck all except getting their azzes handed to them now that all the attention is on Iran.
Not just the war in the Middle East. Ukraine is destroying much of Russia’s energy infrastructure from LNG, Nat Gas & Oil products.
Let the people of BC vote on this but only by those who live in the affected electoral district. The numbers would be eye opening.
Oh wait I know what it is! It’s called desperation because he can’t actually supply any facts of his own 🤣🤣🤣
I supply facts while the copycat troll provides… uhhh whatever that is 🤣🤣🤣 Too funny
Then again, the Cons in Alberta whined and cried like children for the TMX to be built because of “supply and demand” and now all of that nasty bitumen goes to China for dirt cheap so they can refine it and build a bunch of plastic junk. After the TMX was built oil production in Alberta went up while the oil industry jobs in Alberta actually went down. Approximately 10,000 jobs were lost in the Alberta oil and gas industry in 2025 alone bringing direct employment down to only 140,200 workers and that number continues to drop in 2026 due to A.I. automation being introduced to the industry. I mean wow these Alberta Cons are stupid. One year they’re defending the greed sickened oil companies tooth and nail.. the next year they’re getting laid off 😂
While me and my bestie jv wait for our welfare checks, we compare notes. Our conclusion is were as dumb as each other that’s why we voted Liberal in the first place. Were both l i b t a r d s.
Then again, I follow the real JV around and pretend to be him because I’m a cowardly little troll that’s too afraid to use my real name 🤣🤣
Then again, the concept of Supply and Demand is way over my head, and a moron such as myself would never consider that a new pipeline would help generate thousands of jobs and inject millions or more into the provincial and federal economies. I only know what I learn off of TikTok and my fellow w okesters and White Guilt stricken maniacs.
The world does not need to burn more fossil fuels. I am sorry Alberta but the resource you have so much of is highly toxic to the global environment in more ways than one. Releasing more methane in the form of natural gas and burning more oil is leading to the climate catastrophe scientists are declaring. We are already in it now. Think about the grandchildren!
“People are looking for where can I get a little more supply, so that’s part of the reason why we see April basically at capacity,”
In other words the big oil scammers are looking to make a little more profit. Hopefully the BC government and First Nations put a stop to this greed sickened campaign
Good luck getting past the B.C. Trinity of Misery
The B.C. Neo Destruction Party
The First Nations Dictatorship
and ,of course ,
The Matted Hair Assembly of Tree Huggers and Environmentalists
Nay! Nay! says the BC Government – AGAIN! Nay! Nay! says B.C.’s Coastal First Nations – AGAIN! History does repeat itself ……
Carney has yet to remove the ban on oil tankers. He has still not explained to the natives that they do not dictate to Canadians, they are only part of Canada. Enbridge wants to start moving oil in April at the latest. So Eby and his Minister of Energy and confusion are still thinking nobody wants another pipeline, and Queen Smith is thinking of starting to ask for 1 in June.
We have known for the need for a while, the fast-tracking has been promised. Long past time for Carney to straighten things out like he platformed.
Yup build it. Skip all consultation and payouts for “consent”.
We have driven enough business away.