New reports indicate that a major pipeline project from Alberta to the British Columbia coast, a cornerstone initiative for the provincial government in Edmonton, is conspicuously absent from Mark Carney's emerging list of federal priorities.
Pipeline Project Missing from Federal Agenda
The Smith government has been actively promoting the construction of a new pipeline to the B.C. coast for several weeks, framing it as a critical piece of economic and energy infrastructure for Alberta and Canada. However, an early look at the priorities being set by Mark Carney does not appear to include this project. This development, based on reports from November 13, 2025, suggests a potential early misalignment between provincial ambitions and the new federal direction.
Context and Political Implications
The absence of the pipeline on Carney's immediate to-do list raises significant questions about the future of interprovincial energy cooperation. The Alberta government has invested considerable political capital in this initiative, viewing it as essential for getting Alberta's resources to international markets. This early signal from the federal level could set the stage for renewed tensions over energy and environmental policy, a familiar dynamic in Canadian politics.
While Carney's first budget has reportedly won support for its focus on infrastructure and immigration plans, the omission of this specific energy corridor indicates a different set of initial priorities. The federal government's attention seems to be directed elsewhere, leaving the future of the Alberta-B.C. pipeline project uncertain.
Looking Ahead for the Energy Sector
This news does not necessarily mean the pipeline project is dead, but it does signify that it is not a front-burner issue for the new federal administration. The Smith government will likely need to intensify its advocacy efforts if it hopes to see the project advance. The situation underscores the complex and often challenging relationship between provincial resource development goals and federal strategic planning, a central theme in Canada's Confederation.
As Carney's policy agenda continues to take shape, all eyes will be on whether this pipeline, and other key energy infrastructure projects, find a place in his long-term plans for the country's economy.
