Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has used Stampede week to make three major pipeline announcements, aiming to convince separatist-leaning Albertans that Canada is viable under Prime Minister Mark Carney. The referendum on separation is set for Oct. 19, just 101 days away.
Three Announcements in Seven Days
In the span of a week, Smith and her allies have highlighted the collapse of the hostile economic system under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. The announcements include two pipeline plans: the Northern Shield, which would carry Alberta oil to Ontario entirely on Canadian soil, and a bitumen pipeline to British Columbia's south coast with full federal support.
"The cross-border consensus showed how keen Prime Minister Mark Carney was to get this pipeline for Alberta and the country," the article notes. "Without his active intervention, the project could never have been stitched together."
Historic Context and Impact
The grandest Stampede political announcement was in 2004 when Premier Ralph Klein declared the provincial debt paid off. Smith's rollouts may surpass that, according to Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid. The pipeline projects are carefully staged to draw maximum local, national, and international media attention.
Both pipelines still need approvals. Northern Shield is in early stages, and some doubt its business viability. However, the B.C. pipeline is much farther advanced. B.C. Premier David Eby pledged not to oppose it in exchange for $17 billion in federal spending, much of which benefits Alberta's natural gas industry.
Separatist Reaction
Separatist leaders criticized Smith for lacking a private partner for the pipeline and noted that Pathways oilsands companies have not yet agreed to carbon capture and storage. The referendum campaign is expected to be hot and emotional.
Smith gave up her quest for a north coast pipeline, which annoyed some caucus members. But the overall strategy is to show that Canada works, reducing support for separation.
