Pipeline Disputes Spotlight Canada’s Geopolitical Ambitions

Mon Nov 17 2025 06:08:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amidst the push for economic independence from the US, tensions between British Columbia and Alberta over oil pipeline initiatives highlight the challenges Canada faces as it seeks to claim its position as a global energy power.

Alberta’s pursuit of a pipeline to the Pacific, aimed at Asian markets, faces strong opposition from British Columbia, signaling deep-rooted conflicts within Canada's provinces. As Alberta pushes for expedited energy exports, BC Premier David Eby dismisses the proposal, creating friction at a time when Canada strives to reduce its reliance on American energy markets. This article examines the implications of internal disputes amid national energy ambitions.

The oil pipeline feud testing Canada's global ambitions

As Canada looks to untangle itself economically from the US, the country's landlocked oil patch is eyeing new customers in Asia through a proposed pipeline to the Pacific, yet not everyone is on board.

The oil-rich province of Alberta has put forth a demand to Prime Minister Mark Carney: help us build an oil pipeline — and do it quickly. However, achieving this goal seems increasingly daunting as three proposed oil pipelines have been halted in the last decade due to strong opposition and environmental concerns.

Despite the challenges, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is undeterred. Her government is drafting a proposal for a pipeline extending from the Alberta oil sands to British Columbia's northern Pacific coast to cater to Asian markets. Though still in the preliminary stages, Smith aims for a private company to eventually take over and construct the pipeline.

British Columbia, on the other hand, firmly opposes the venture. Premier David Eby of the left-leaning NDP has characterized Smith's proposal as 'fictional' and 'political', claiming that no company is willing to embrace the associated burdens. He has also accused Smith of undermining BC’s own ambitions to expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

The ongoing feud between these two provinces emerges at a critical juncture for Canada, which seeks to reduce its economic dependency on the US during a politically turbulent time, especially in light of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Carney aims to double non-US exports within a decade, striving to position Canada as a global energy superpower.

In a recently unveiled list of crucial 'nation-building projects', Carney specified initiatives to enhance Canadian growth, though it notably omitted any mention of a new pipeline. This has raised concerns among Albertans about the feasibility of achieving his goals without resolving inter-provincial conflicts.

As the divide persists, discussions regarding energy development continue. Premier Eby's representatives have highlighted that an absence of defined routes, proponents, and viable projects complicates Alberta's proposal.

Additionally, indigenous sovereignty and environmental concerns have escalated, posing even more barriers to the construction of new pipelines. Canada has made commitments to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, influenced by severe climate change impacts including devastating wildfires.

In conclusion, the ongoing tensions between Alberta and British Columbia reflect a broader struggle within Canada to reconcile economic ambitions with environmental responsibilities and inter-provincial cooperation.