Prime Minister Mark Carney says a new oil pipeline out of Alberta is “more likely than not.”
In his first sit-down interview with The Canadian Press since becoming prime minister more than a year ago, on Friday Carney said given the increased global demand for secure new sources of energy due to the war in Iran, and Canada’s need to diversify to Asian markets, a new pipeline is “more probable than possible.”
“It’s all part of a bigger package. We’re making progress on that bigger package,” Carney said, referring to the memorandum of understanding his government signed with Alberta late last year.
“Part of our job is to figure out ways to make that work, to make it work that’s combined with reducing the emissions associated with oil.
“So all of that lines up to it’s more likely than not, which means more probable than possible. But none of that says it’s certain. Still a lot of work to be done.”
LaPresse was the first to report on Carney’s characterization of the likelihood of a new pipeline out of Alberta after its own interview with the prime minister earlier in the week.
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And while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said repeatedly her preference is a new pipeline running to the north coast of B.C. — despite the objections of Coastal First Nations and B.C. Premier David Eby — Carney left the door open to alternative routes to get more Alberta oil to Asian markets.
“Well, there are multiple routes where there could be a pipeline,” Carney said.
Citing unnamed federal sources, the Globe and Mail reported last week that Ottawa was leaning toward a southern route for a new pipeline because it would face fewer environmental hurdles and less Indigenous opposition.
Carney also pointed to the recent U.S. approval of the Bridger Pipeline expansion in discussing options for other routes.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential permit authorizing that project earlier this week.
It is considered a partial revival of the Keystone XL pipeline project that Trump initially approved in his first term, before it was later scrapped by Joe Biden.
In his interview with The Canadian Press, Carney also said Canada would not use energy or critical minerals as “leverage” in upcoming trade talks with U.S.
While Carney’s comments on the likelihood of a new Alberta pipeline are likely to be met with optimism in Calgary, the project still needs an energy company to step forward to build it.
— With files from Kyle Duggan and Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press
Learned something new today regarding where QUEBEC has been getting their gas from the last 6 years now and how more western canadian goods can get to asia I bet, hmmm. Posted on the internet: “The supply of oil going to Quebec refineries has undergone a dramatic transformation in less than six years. While the province got most of its oil from overseas in 2012, the situation had flipped by 2017, with most of the supply now coming from North American producers. On top of that, Western Canada is now the Central Canadian province’s top source of crude.” Really?
all talk, no action carney
So when line 5 is terminated….I guess the east coast can buy their oil from the UAE. Or the USA. Elbows up east coast
Does anybody believe him? I certainly don’t.
Let’s try something simple Alberta, let’s stop the Transfer Payments to who are obviously enemies of our Province.
I’m going to go with ‘not’. After 60 years in Alberta I’m not at all convinced. We were talking about developing refineries and the like 40 years ago, what did we get?
We don’t need pipelines! Why sell discounted oil? We need refineries and petrochemical plants! Make 1000 x the profit than we currently do
More lip service from Carney
Im not a separatist yet, but the more this guy continues to play like he cares while doing everything in his power to push us down is getting old. Everyday he drives more hard working people away from this confederation.
In over a year , Carney has not got 1 thing built. He has been PM over a year now. Total fail
when exactly will the construction even start? dont believe anything from ottawa. goooo carney
Alberta should stop the flow of money to the east on Energy sales as Quebec Contributes less tan Zero Dollars, the rest of Canada will be Bankrupt, if the Easter economies are so Divers ? Why the hell take Albertas Money , give it ALL back!!
Other than a fancy speech in Davos, has Carney accomplished anything else?
Didn’t Carney say we were in an existential crises with Trump and going to build faster then ever seen. A year later Carney is pontificating about a pipeline yes, no, maybe. His flip flopping is outrageous.
@Normal. Isn’t the Oilers Carneys team? And how did TML do this year. lol
sick and tired of FNs objections, i guess in BC yourin Ebys bacl pocket
@ Lib hater…mine was a joke…but you just called your own team losers. The only thing ( besides oil) you guys rely on…. base your entire existence on . Ignoring how close they’ve been getting in recent years. No wonder canada never cared they almost won. And you wonder why you guys aren’t running the country? See you in another 12.
Flips flops daily by Carney. Canada has a huge debt and should be maximizing Oil and Gas Production. Where do Canadians think all the money comes from for the services provided? Thru revenue
@Normal canadian_ Oilers are done. Losers as they are bowed out cause McDink got an owie.
We all remember each and every boondoggle and dont need to be reminded in such a belligerent way.
Canada is screwed under these Liberal schmucks and has been for almost 12 long years.
Actually at one point 9 pipelines were proposed if I remember correctly? No private investment interested. Then MR. TRUDEAU … out of the goodness of his heart ( and tax payer money ) gave the Albertans their free pipeline…..leaving 8 left which again…no private investors are Interested in. Why does anyone never remember the free 40 billion dollar pipeline…and never ever says thanks? Anyhow…does anyone know how the OILERS are doing this year?!
The problem with the south pipeline is that the oil is sold cheaper. Look up Western Canada Select. This discounted the market price is what we actually receive.
A west pipeline gives Canada world price for oil.
I have noticed that the Liberals continue to ensure Western Canada oil is the most expensive to produce. This why I am leary that Carney really intends to let a major oil project go through that actually generates wealth.
Benny, can you say Northern Gateway? It wasn’t built but was given the permits and passed all the road blocks put in its way but trudeau pulled the permits.
Canadian Press pushing their agenda again, claiming that a company is needed to build the pipeline. – they are lined up, once Carney removes the barrier of oil tanker ban and gets rid of the natives trying to control what Canada does. – Time for him to quit harping on his clean energy, and back the pipeline to the north. I notice he does not even mention the needed pipeline to the East Coast. Nor any investment in refineries.
Why are we wasting money encouraging battery power, when we have all this potential oil and gas, that will actually make money.
Hey Benny, you ask when the Conservatives gave us a pipeline. Actually the Liberals didn’t give us a pipeline, the USA forced the TMX to be built after the XL pipeline was cancelled because the California refineries desperately needed oil. It sure wasn’t built because Justin had a change of heart on his anti-oil environmental policies.
Ask yourself ‘when did my con party give me a pipeline?’
And wait ….
Carney is just trying to save his self but I’d say to little to late and it’s never going to happen. Not the governments choice.
You can almost hear the Jungle Book song “Trust in me” in the background ……..