Smith says project will ‘double’ oilsands production over next decade or so
The proposed West Coast pipeline would be a “nation-building project” that will also meet rising energy demands across Europe and Asia, Smith said.
The proposed pipeline would move more than one million barrels of oil per day and double oilsands production to eight million barrels per day over the next 10 to 15 years, she said.
“Developing these resources would equate to hundreds of billions of dollars in government revenue that could be used to support core social programs like health and education, bolster Canada’s national security commitments under NATO and unlock economic prosperity for Indigenous peoples,” Smith said.
“We’ve certainly come a long way from talk of phasing out Alberta’s oil and gas, haven’t we?”
The pipeline would follow a route that begins in Bruderheim, a town northeast of Edmonton, and runs towards the southern part of the West Coast.
Smith said that’s a similar route to the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, which she said comes with advantages, such as existing relationships with Indigenous partners.
“Obviously it will take time and there is much work ahead of all of us, but I say to all people across Alberta and across Canada, we will get the job done,” she said.
“The window of opportunity is open now. Recent global events have made it clear that Canada’s safe and reliable sources of oil, gas and critical minerals are vital to the world’s economy.”
