Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to announce a government-led proposal for a new oil pipeline to the West Coast on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in the province's efforts to secure independent export capacity.
The plan aims to have the project designated as a matter of national interest by October, with construction potentially beginning as early as September 2027.
This timeline suggests an aggressive push to bypass existing federal regulatory bottlenecks that have long constrained Canadian heavy crude exports.
The announcement comes as Alberta prepares to submit an initial proposal to Ottawa's Major Projects Office this week.
Notably, the province is moving forward with this infrastructure ambition despite having no private-sector proponents currently on board.
This state-backed approach signals a shift in strategy, with the provincial government willing to assume greater risk and responsibility to ensure the project's viability.