Cory Morgan: Alberta’s Pipeline Proposal Will Force Carney’s Hand—One Way or Another

Workers position pipe during construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in Abbotsford, B.C., on May 3, 2023. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Commentary

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s pipeline proposal has put Prime Minister Mark Carney in a tough spot. Carney has carefully played on both sides when it comes to potentially building new oil and gas pipelines in Canada. He has acknowledged the need to reduce dependency on the United States as an export market, yet he maintains a tanker ban on the West Coast. He passed the One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5), which was to fast-track infrastructure projects, but the first five projects announced do not include any pipelines.