A proposed pipeline capable of moving roughly one million barrels of Alberta oil per day to the West Coast has been officially designated a project of national interest — a move Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov says could bring significant opportunities to northeastern Alberta.

On October 1, the federal government added the West Coast Oil Pipeline, now being called Pacific Link, to the list of national interest projects under the Building Canada Act. The designation puts the project into an accelerated federal regulatory process.

The proposed pipeline would carry approximately one million barrels of crude oil per day to Canada’s West Coast, providing additional access to international markets.

For Reutov, the announcement represents more than a major national energy project — it could mean new opportunities for communities throughout Alberta’s energy-producing regions.

“Today’s announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith designating the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest is an exciting step forward for Alberta and Canada’s energy future,” Reutov said.

“For communities like ours, major energy investment means opportunity. It means jobs, stronger infrastructure, new investment and continued growth across our region.”

Reutov said Lac La Biche County intends to make sure the municipality has a voice as the project develops.

“Council will continue working hard to make sure Lac La Biche County has a voice in these conversations and that our community is positioned to benefit from the opportunities ahead,” he said.

“There is real momentum in Alberta right now, and we intend to be part of it.”

What is Pacific Link?

Pacific Link is still a proposed project. Construction has not started and the national interest designation is not the same as final project approval.

The Government of Alberta says it is working with the federal government through Trans Mountain Corporation and with Pembina Pipeline Corporation to advance Pacific Link.

The proposal would move one million barrels of oil per day to Canada’s West Coast, expanding access to markets across the Asia-Pacific region.

Premier Danielle Smith called the designation a “significant victory” for Alberta and Canada’s energy future.

“The listing of Pacific Link as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act is an important step toward strengthening our economy, enhancing energy security and connecting Canadian energy to growing global markets,” Smith said.

According to the Alberta government, Pacific Link could create up to 140,000 jobs at peak construction, primarily in Alberta and British Columbia.

The province says operations, increased production, maintenance and trade associated with the project could support an additional 50,000 jobs annually.

Alberta also estimates the project could generate more than $20 billion annually for Canada’s GDP once operational.

Over the pipeline’s expected lifespan of more than 50 years, Alberta’s Department of Treasury Board and Finance estimates the provincial government could receive more than $265 billion in additional royalties from increased oil production needed to fill the pipeline.

Smith said Indigenous participation will also be central to the project.

“Working together, we have an opportunity to create lasting prosperity through meaningful participation, ownership and shared success,” she said.

Stubbs welcomes pipeline move, but says Ottawa needs to move faster

Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs, Conservative Shadow Minister for Infrastructure with responsibility for the Alberta MOU, Pipeline and Pathways Project, also welcomed progress on the pipeline while criticizing the federal government’s timeline and energy policies.

In a joint statement with Conservative Shadow Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Carol Anstey, Stubbs thanked Smith and the Alberta government for continuing to push for expanded market access for Canadian oil and gas.

“Conservatives have always been champions of Canadian oil and gas, and of an energy sector that brings jobs and prosperity at home and leverage abroad,” the statement said.

However, Stubbs and Anstey argued that putting Pacific Link on the national interest list isn’t enough.

“Canada needs pipelines in the ground,” they said.

The Conservative MPs called for faster approvals, clear timelines and transparent cost estimates. They also argued Pacific Link should ultimately be privately funded rather than requiring billions of dollars in taxpayer funding.

“If the Prime Minister truly believes this pipeline is in the national interest, then he should act like it,” the statement said. “The federal government needs to get out of the way and let builders build, investors invest and workers work.”

Stubbs and Anstey also reiterated Conservative opposition to the federal industrial carbon tax and other federal energy and environmental policies, arguing they increase the cost and complexity of developing major energy projects.

The Conservatives say they would eliminate the federal industrial carbon tax, accelerate major project approvals and repeal or reform federal laws and regulations they believe discourage private-sector investment.

What happens next?

The national interest designation is an important milestone, but several steps remain before construction can begin.

The Major Projects Office is expected to work with the Canada Energy Regulator through a streamlined review process to issue a conditions document for Pacific Link by September 1, 2027.

According to the Alberta government, construction could begin after that process is completed and the necessary requirements are met.

Trans Mountain Corporation is expected to develop, construct and operate the pipeline on behalf of the project’s proponents.

For communities such as Lac La Biche County, attention is already turning to what a project of this scale could mean closer to home.

Reutov said his Council intends to ensure the municipality is part of those discussions and positioned to capitalize on potential investment, employment and economic growth as Pacific Link moves forward.