Canada to fast track oil pipeline meant to diversify economy away from US

What the report says

Canada will fast-track approval of a proposed crude oil export pipeline to its west coast, a move Prime Minister Mark Carney says is meant to strengthen the economy and reduce reliance on the United States. Al Jazeera, citing AP and Reuters, reported on Thursday that Carney designated the Pacific Link project as a project of national interest, which puts it on a single federal regulatory review track.

The announcement was made in Fort McMurray, Alberta, alongside Premier Danielle Smith. Carney said the government wants the project reviewed by September 1, 2027. According to the report, Ottawa says the pipeline could move about 1 million barrels a day, create 140,000 jobs, add more than C$20 billion annually to GDP, and generate C$100 billion in government revenue by 2060.

The project is being developed by government-owned Trans Mountain Corp with Pembina Pipeline Corp. Alberta estimates the cost could range from about C$35.2 billion to C$43.7 billion. The federal government and Alberta would be the main owners, and Indigenous communities would be offered at least a 10 percent stake.

The move comes amid long-running tensions over energy policy, environmental concerns, and Indigenous opposition to major pipelines in Canada. It also carries political weight in Alberta, where separatist sentiment has been a live issue and officials are trying to show cooperation between Ottawa and the province.