Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent announcement with Premier Danielle Smith marks a turning point for Alberta workers, Canadian energy, and the future of nation-building infrastructure in this country.
The Building Trades of Alberta proudly supports the strong partnership now taking shape between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta to advance a new west coast oil pipeline to British Columbia’s coast. For our 60,000 skilled trades workers across 18 Alberta local unions, this is exactly the kind of major project Canada should be building: one that creates good-paying careers, strengthens energy security, opens new markets, and proves that federal-provincial cooperation can deliver real results for working people.
The federal announcement states that Alberta’s west coast pipeline proposal will be referred to the Major Projects Office, with the project designed to move one million barrels per day of oil toward global markets while largely following the existing Trans Mountain corridor and respecting the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. Canada and Alberta are to share an equal partnership in the project, with a meaningful equity stake reserved for Indigenous Peoples, Trans Mountain Corporation leading development, and Pembina Pipeline Corporation contributing private-sector expertise.
When governments work together, workers win!
The Prime Minister’s Office says the West Coast pipeline and the Pathways carbon capture initiative are expected to create approximately 175,000 new jobs in Alberta, British Columbia, and across Canada, with up to 140,000 jobs through pipeline construction and operations. This means more work for unionized skilled trades workers, career-building opportunities for apprentices and Indigenous people.
Building Trades members are prepared to bring their top skills and standards to deliver this project on time and on budget.
The BTA has consistently advocated for nation-building projects that put its members to work building the economic future of Alberta and all of Canada. BTA Executive Director Terry Parker and the Alberta Building Trades Council will continue to engage with their partners at each level of government to get this project and more done.
