Quebec premier open to a possible oil pipeline, but under certain conditions

Quebec Premier Francois Legault responds to the Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

When asked about a possible oil pipeline, Quebec Premier François Legault told Radio-Canada on Thursday that “there is an opening, but only if the environment is respected and it is profitable for Quebec.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday a memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith committing them to work on the construction of a pipeline to the Pacific coast.

Legault said he was not opposed to a pipeline proposal for Quebec, but that it was clear that certain conditions would apply.

“What has been agreed with Mark Carney is that if there is ever a project — and there is no project at this time — it will have to be accepted by Quebec,” Legault said in an interview on the program “Zone économie” on ICI RDI.

Legault also spoke about the environment and the impact on the economy.

The premier discussed Hydro-Quebec’s $200 billion plan to increase electricity production in the province and improve the performance of its network by 2035. He also mentioned the desire to produce more green energy and double production by 2050.

However, he stressed that investing in environmental measures can also have an impact on the province’s economy.

“There is a cost. [Environment Minister Bernard] Drainville calculated that if we wanted to reach the target of -37.5 per cent by 2035, it would cost our economy $38 billion,” said Legault.

“In the short term, we have to be careful because our businesses must remain competitive,” he added. “We need to say that we will not put all our eggs in the environmental measures basket.”

Bill 2

On Tuesday, the Premier met with the president of the Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ), Dr. Marc-André Amyot.

In his interview with Radio-Canada, he discussed his involvement in negotiations with doctors.

He assured listeners that the goal of Bill 2 was to give Quebecers access to a family doctor and that he wanted to work with Dr. Amyot to achieve this.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 28, 2025.