Sask. premier behind Alberta’s west coast pipeline plans

WATCH: Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is showing his support for Alberta’s west coast pipeline plans. Donovan Maess has the details.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has put his support behind Alberta’s latest announcement to build a new oil pipeline to Canada’s west coast.

On Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her province is committing $14 million to a “pipeline do-over” that hinges on First Nations getting on board early and Ottawa reversing a tanker ban that would make such a project unworkable on the northern B.C. coast.

Taking to X Wednesday night, Moe

stood behind his neighbour’s idea.

“Saskatchewan stands with Alberta as they take steps to build a new West Coast oil pipeline,” the post read. “This project strengthens Canada’s economy, opens new markets and creates opportunities to advance Canada’s national interests.”

In a statement to CTV News Thursday, Moe added, “expanding energy export capacity from Western Canada benefits all producing jurisdictions by increasing the price we get for our oil.”

The proposal is to be filed to the new federal Major Projects Office, which aims to speed along developments deemed in the national interest. A submission is expected in the spring of next year.

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Alberta plans to develop the project with the backing of an advisory group that includes three major Canadian crude pipeline operators: Enbridge Inc., Trans Mountain Corp. and South Bow Corp. No company has stepped forward to actually build the pipeline. No route has been determined, but Smith has said a pipeline should go to the Port of Prince Rupert, B.C.

“What stands before us right now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock our wealth and resources and become a world-leading energy superpower,” Smith told a news conference in Calgary on Wednesday. “There are billions of people around the world living in energy poverty who demand a higher standard of living. This is not just a question of Alberta’s energy. It is a global, moral imperative.”

Smith adds the proposal will be a “test of whether Canada works as a country.”

“If we can’t build with the collaboration of the federal government and between provinces, if it’s ‘everybody gets to get their products going to market except Alberta,’ then it’s not a country.”

“If Alberta wishes to be the initial proponent and funder of a pipeline to the West Coast and put it forward to the MPO, that is within their right to do so,” Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson responded. “Once any proponent has done this work, the federal government is open to evaluating a project on its merits.”

Moe believes approvals should go to all projects.

“Our country needs all economic projects to go forward if Canada wants to be the strongest economy in the G7,” the premier’s statement added “Not just the projects selected by politicians in Ottawa.”

“Saskatchewan will continue to work with provincial, territorial, and federal partners to support projects that promote growth and benefit all Canadians,” he said.

The federal government also says there have been no discussions with the Government of Saskatchewan about similar proposals for pipeline construction in the province.

With files from The Canadian Press