West Coast pipeline discussed as Carney meets Alberta and B.C. premiers in Ottawa

A proposed West Coast pipeline was among several major energy issues discussed during a meeting this week between Prime Minister Mark Carney and the premiers of Alberta and British Columbia.

The talks brought together Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and B.C. Premier David Eby in Ottawa, where long standing disagreements over pipeline expansion have often strained relations between the two provinces. Despite those differences, Eby described Wednesday’s meeting as constructive and said the tone was “borderline friendly.”

Eby has previously voiced opposition to a new pipeline to the B.C. coast, citing environmental concerns and provincial jurisdiction. However, he acknowledged that Carney remains committed to advancing the project as part of a broader energy agreement reached with Smith late last year.

Smith said the discussion went beyond pipelines, touching on expanded electrical interties between Alberta and British Columbia, the future role of nuclear energy, and the possibility of increasing capacity on the existing bitumen pipeline that currently serves the West Coast.

Energy infrastructure remains a politically sensitive issue in Western Canada, with Alberta pushing for improved access to export markets while British Columbia balances economic considerations with environmental and community impacts.