Unlocking Canada’s potential

Alberta’s government prepared a submission for a world-class pipeline connecting Alberta's energy resources to Canada's west coast to strengthen Canada's energy independence, increase global competitiveness and drive prosperity.

On October 1, 2026, Alberta’s submission was listed as a project of national interest by the federal Major Projects Office under the Building Canada Act, advancing the goal of securing the permissions needed to begin pipeline design and construction as early as September 1, 2027.

Demand for oil and gas will remain strong for decades, especially in Asia. With one of the largest and most secure energy reserves in the world, Alberta is ready to deliver reliable, responsibly produced energy for years to come. 

Indigenous participation and partnership are central to the project, helping shape its development and creating opportunities for long-term economic benefits in Indigenous communities.

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  • Icon of a sapling growing on the Earth

    Setting the standard

    From design through construction and operation, the project submission outlines the rigorous safety protocols, advanced monitoring systems and fail-safe engineering practices that will protect communities, workers and the environment.

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    Tidewater to Asian markets

    This project will significantly increase market access to Asian markets hungry for Alberta oil products and reduce dependence on U.S. markets.

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    Indigenous voices

    This is more than an energy project – this pipeline has the potential to deliver long-term benefits and opportunities for Indigenous communities. From the outset, Indigenous communities have provided guidance that has shaped this project every step of the way. This work continues, with extensive Indigenous engagement underway across Alberta and British Columbia.

Planning for a world-class pipeline

Alberta’s government drew on more than a century of technical expertise to deliver an evidence-based submission to the Major Projects Office on July 2, 2026, and partner with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline to further develop the project. This submission included:

  • a summary of the proposed path and size of the pipeline
  • detailed costs and benefits to Canada
  • comprehensive information about market demand, economic viability and the need for a new pipeline
  • the social, environmental and economic case for the proposed pipeline being in the national interest
  • a commitment to ongoing engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities

View more videos about Pacific Link.

Safety standards

Marine safety is not optional—it will be embedded in every aspect of the project’s design and operation.

The submission incorporates the most advanced marine protection systems available worldwide, including real-time vessel tracking, double-hull tanker requirements and enhanced navigation protocols to safeguard coastal waters.

Canada already enforces robust safety measures including mandatory pilotage, tug escorts and restricted navigation zones, and this project will fully comply with these requirements and go further—actively researching and adopting best practices from around the world to enhance marine safety.

The project will adhere to safety protocols and ensure coastal waters remain protected for generations.

Pipelines remain the safest, most efficient and most reliable way to transport energy across Canada. On average each year, 99.999% of oil transported via federally regulated pipelines moves safely, reflecting decades of operational excellence and regulatory oversight.

Project timeline

  • Engagement and pre-work

    Relationship-building conversations began with Indigenous communities in Alberta and British Columbia.

    Fall 2025
  • Project announcement

    Alberta's government announced the plan to advance a submission to the Major Projects Office for an oil pipeline to the west coast.

    October 2025
  • MOU signed

    The Governments of Canada and Alberta signed an MOU that included a declaration that an Alberta oil pipeline with Indigenous participation to Asian markets is a project of national interest.

    November 2025
  • Submission development

    A team of technical experts completed preliminary assessments on various potential routes and terminal locations. As the initial proponent, Alberta’s government engaged with more than 100 Indigenous communities across Alberta and northern B.C. to understand priorities and concerns.

    October 2025 to June 2026
  • Submission delivered and partners announced

    Alberta’s government submitted the west coast oil pipeline project to the Major Projects Office to be listed as a project of national interest and announced its intent to partner with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline to advance project development.

    July 2026
  • Project of national interest listing

    Pacific Link was listed as a project of national interest on October 1, 2026.

    October 2026
  • Potential construction begins

    Following Indigenous consultation and once all approvals and permits are in place, construction could start as early as September 1, 2027.

    September 2027

Indigenous perspectives

We are committed to early, respectful, transparent and meaningful engagement. Insights gathered through early engagement have already shaped key elements of the project, including: 

  • environmental protections and marine safety
  • a proposed corridor
  • construction methods
  • economic opportunities

Indigenous economic opportunities are integral to this project and will create long-term revenue streams and allow communities to invest in their futures. The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC) is ready to support Indigenous co-ownership of the pipeline and the Pathways carbon capture project.

Beyond economic participation, we are committed to exploring other forms of involvement based on how communities want to engage, recognizing that interests may go beyond financial outcomes.

Addressing myths

  • Myth: Construction is beginning on a pipeline

    No construction has started. The project has been listed as a nation-building project under the new federal legislation, and Alberta’s government will enter into a partnership with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline to further develop the project.

    Early work construction may start as early as September 1, 2027, once Indigenous consultation is complete and all required approvals and permits are in place.

  • Myth: Alberta’s government is paying for the pipeline

    No. Alberta’s government has contributed just over $18 million to support early planning work including preliminary engineering, cost estimates, economic modelling, early Indigenous engagement with communities and development of the proposal for federal consideration.

    Now that this preliminary work is done, we will work alongside Trans Mountain and Pembina Pipeline to move this project ahead.

  • Myth: This project will be no different than previous failed ones

    No. Previous projects failed because Indigenous voices and priorities weren’t central to the process.

    Our focus is on partnership, transparency, building trust, listening early and ensuring prosperity flows to Indigenous communities in ways they define.

    Previous projects also failed because of federal policies that constrain the energy sector. The federal government has acknowledged our concerns and signed an agreement with Alberta’s government that includes commitments to address the key policies that have been the most damaging to Alberta’s energy sector as we work to attract capital and projects to the province.

  • Myth: This initiative is a step backward in Canada’s energy transition

    No. This is a step forward in balanced energy development. Given that the demand for oil will continue, it is important oil is responsibly and ethically produced.

    Responsible development and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. This initiative is part of a balanced national energy strategy – one that includes clean technology, emissions reduction and infrastructure planning.

    Additionally, the Governments of Canada and Alberta are committed to working together with the Pathways companies to advance the completion of the world’s largest carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) infrastructure project. The success of this project will ensure that a new pipeline exceeds innovation and best practice standards.

  • Myth: This project disregards Indigenous land rights in Alberta and British Columbia

    No. We are committed to respecting Indigenous rights and sovereignty while advancing Canada’s national interest. Our approach to early engagement has already shaped the project and will continue to shape it going forward.

    In partnership with Indigenous leadership, the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation is ready to support Indigenous co-ownership of the pipeline project and the Pathways carbon capture project.

Aligning with Canada’s interests

The federal government has declared Pacific Link as a project of national interest. Projects listed as in the national interest under the Building Canada Act are expedited through a streamlined and accelerated federal regulatory process.

An Implementation Agreement finalized in May 2026 establishes a framework that sets out a path for construction of a new oil pipeline to Canada’s west coast. Potential construction may commence as early as September 1, 2027, provided that duty to consult with Indigenous communities obligations have been met and the conditions document from the federal government has been given.

  • Circle valve on a pipe
    Criteria 1. Strengthen Canada’s autonomy, resilience and security


    A pipeline to the west coast will provide the opportunity to diversify and increase market access while strengthening Canada’s energy independence.

  • A piggybank with a coin
    Criteria 2. Provide economic or other benefits to Canada


    Previous estimates for a similar past project showed the potential for as much as $3.8 billion in total annual government revenues across Canada and 800,000 jobs over the lifetime of the project.

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    Criteria 3. Have a high likelihood of successful execution


    Alberta’s government acted as proponent during early project planning to ensure there was government support. Experts from across the energy industry provided technical advice throughout the submission development process to ensure credible project delivery.

    Alberta’s government will now partner with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline to bring world-class pipeline design, construction and operational expertise to the next phase of development.

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    Criteria 4. Advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples


    Indigenous co-ownership, partnership and perspectives are critical to every stage of project development and execution. Indigenous communities in Alberta and British Columbia have been engaged from day one – starting at the onset of project design.

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    Criteria 5. Contribute to clean growth and to Canada’s objectives with respect to climate change


    To reach net-zero by 2050, the governments of Canada and Alberta have established globally competitive carbon pricing and sector-specific stringency factors for major oil, gas and electricity emitters under Alberta’s TIER system.

Pathways carbon capture project

In July 2026, Alberta’s government, along with the federal government and the Oil Sands Alliance, signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding to advance Pathways, the world’s largest carbon capture and storage infrastructure project. The agreement also provides a framework to enable the Oil Sands Alliance to substantially increase oil production while advancing emissions reductions through the Pathways project.

This agreement marks a critical step toward decarbonizing oil sands projects and will support the development of Pacific Link.

Learn more about the Pathways carbon capture project.

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