Today, Oct 1, 2026, was an important day for Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada’s energy future.

This morning in Fort McMurray, I was proud to stand alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as the Government of Canada announced that the West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, has been designated a project of national interest.

For years, Alberta has played a major role in powering Canada while major energy projects have faced lengthy and complex regulatory processes. Today’s announcement moves Pacific Link into a single, consolidated federal regulatory review process under the Building Canada Act. The Major Projects Office, supported by the Canada Energy Regulator, will work through the review process to establish the conditions for the project, with the goal of finalizing them by September 1, 2027.

The proposed pipeline would transport one million barrels of Canadian crude oil per day from a receipt terminal in Bruderheim, Alberta, through British Columbia to a proposed deepwater port near Delta. The project is intended to give Canadian energy producers greater access to international markets, including growing markets in Asia. The final route and project features will be determined through further consultation and development.

For Edmonton and communities across Alberta, this project could create economic opportunities through construction, energy development, investment, and related businesses. The federal government estimates that the project could support approximately 140,000 jobs across the country at the peak of construction and upstream development and generate more than $20 billion in GDP per year.

The project is also being developed as a partnership. Trans Mountain Corporation and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission will own equal shares of the balance of the project, while Pembina Pipeline Corporation will have a 10% economic interest through construction, with the opportunity for up to an additional 10% once the project enters commercial operation. Indigenous communities will be offered a minimum 10% ownership interest, with financing available through Canada and Alberta’s Indigenous Loan Guarantee Programs.

The project is part of a broader effort to expand Canada’s access to global markets and diversify our trade. The federal government has set a goal of doubling Canada’s non-U.S. exports over the next decade, while Pacific Link would provide additional capacity to reach international energy markets.

Just as importantly, this announcement shows what can happen when the federal and Alberta governments work together on major infrastructure.

As your Member of Parliament, I’m proud that Alberta will play such an important role in this next chapter for Canada’s energy sector. I’ll continue working in Ottawa to support this project, advocate for our community, and make sure Edmonton and Alberta have a strong voice as the project moves forward.