Alberta
With no company willing to spearhead a new pipeline under federal restrictions, Alberta takes the lead
Alberta leads as proponent for West Coast pipeline
Alberta’s government, acting as proponent, will lead a technical advisory group of companies with Indigenous participants to advance a West Coast pipeline application.
With the advice and technical support of three major pipeline companies, Alberta’s government, acting as proponent, will develop and submit a formal application for a project of national significance to the Federal Major Projects Office under the Building Canada Act. Indigenous communities in Alberta and British Columbia are being engaged from Day 1. Indigenous co-ownership, partnership and perspectives will be critical to every stage of project development and execution.
The advisory group will undertake the early planning, technical assessment and application for an oil pipeline proposal to the northwest coast of British Columbia. When completed, the project will significantly increase market access to responsibly and ethically produced Canadian crude oil products.
“This project application is about more than a pipeline; it’s about unlocking Canada’s full economic potential. By doing this the right way from Day 1 with Indigenous partners and industry expertise, we will deliver a proposal that proves this project is undeniably in the national interest. Together, we are charting a path to secure Canada’s energy future for generations while bringing the world’s most ethically and responsibly produced energy to market.”
The goal of this planning and pre-front end engineering and design work is to determine the general path and size of the pipeline, quantify costs, initiate early Indigenous engagement and partnership, and make the clear case that this pipeline is in the national interest. Alberta’s government will contribute $14 million to support early planning work including cost estimates, engagement and development of a credible proposal for federal consideration.
“We already see Canada as an energy powerhouse, and with the right infrastructure, moving toward superpower status is both realistic and achievable. Increased market access from Alberta to tidewater will scale Canada’s export markets and diversification, while supporting the federal government’s newly stated ambition of becoming an energy superpower.”
Indigenous leadership and perspectives are essential to guiding major projects like this that will grow our economy, safeguard the environment and create lasting opportunities for Indigenous partners. Our engagement strategy will reflect the diversity of Indigenous governance structures and be tailored to reflect each community’s unique context. By bringing together innovation and technology with Indigenous perspectives and cultures, we are creating the conditions for meaningful dialogue and the right mix of expertise to shape a project that reflects shared values and priorities.
“This is about partnerships and building trust from Day 1 – ensuring Indigenous voices shape the decisions that affect their lands and futures. Alberta’s government is committed to respectful, transparent engagement that recognizes Indigenous communities as rights holders, leaders and owners in the prosperity we build together.”
“Fort McKay First Nation welcomes the opportunity to be engaged from the very beginning of this important project. True partnership means listening to Indigenous voices, respecting our lands and ensuring our people share in the benefits. By working together with government and industry, we can create opportunities that strengthen our communities, while showcasing the incredible potential of Alberta’s energy sector.”
“The National Coalition of Chiefs has always said that oil and gas participation, including ownership opportunities, can be a way to drive economic reconciliation. We are happy that Alberta is leading an effort to get another pipeline to the West Coast, and we are especially happy that they have decided to engage with Indigenous nations in B.C. and Alberta right from the very beginning of the process.”
The technical advisory group will include multiple industry participants, bringing expertise in engineering, construction, Indigenous relations and market demand. The groups efforts will be supervised by a panel that currently includes:
- Larry Kaumeyer, deputy minister, Energy and Minerals (co-chair)
- Alex Pourbaix, executive chair, Cenovus (co-chair)
- Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations
- Hal Kvisle, energy industry executive
- Roderick Graham, board director, AER
- Chief Jim Boucher, chair, president and co-founder, Saa Dene Group of Companies
- Al Monaco, former president and chief executive officer at Enbridge
- Corey Bieber, board director, Vermilion Energy
- Chris Sankey, principal owner and president, Blackfish Enterprises
- Dave Lamouche, president, Metis Settlements General Council
The project of national significance application process will explore all opportunities to deliver Alberta’s responsibly produced energy resources to market, while carefully assessing all aspects required to advance a northwest coastal crude oil pipeline.
Quick facts
- The expected application submission to the Federal Major Projects Office is approximately spring of 2026.
- The three companies participating in the technical advisory group are South Bow, Enbridge and Trans Mountain.
- Canada has the fourth-largest proven oil reserves globally and is the fourth-largest global oil producer.
- Net export receipts of crude oil have climbed from $6 billion in 2000 to $130 billion in 2024.
- Additional infrastructure from Alberta’s oilsands to B.C.’s coast will ensure Alberta energy resources can contribute to meeting significant Asian demand from countries like Japan, Korea, China and India.
Alberta’s government is engaging with Albertans on increasing speed limits on rural highways.
Starting Nov. 7, Albertans can share their views on modernizing speed limits on divided highways through an online survey running until Dec. 12. The survey will ask how Albertans view raising the speed limit by 10 km/h on various highways from 110 km/h to 120 km/h.
“Alberta’s government is investigating how to safely increase speed limits on divided highways, and if Albertans support increasing speed limits. We are investing more than $1.5 billion this year alone to improve highway safety and upgrade infrastructure across the province. We want Albertans to be able to drive the speed limit that the highways are designed for. Modern vehicles combined with public awareness mean we can explore higher speed limits.”
The survey will provide Albertans with the opportunity to provide input on which highways they would prioritize having a speed limit increase, their views on restricting commercial trucks from using the far-left lane on highways with three or more lanes and any other feedback that would improve driving experiences on provincial highways.
Following a review of the survey results, Alberta’s government plans to conduct a mini-trial of a 120 km/h speed limit to assess the impacts of higher speed limits on divided highways. The trial will include strong monitoring to assess driving behaviour.
Alberta’s government reminds motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions. Speed limits are set for ideal conditions. When roads are wet, icy or when there is reduced visibility, motorists should slow down.
Quick facts
- Alberta’s provincial highway network includes more than 64,000 lane kilometres of highways, about 11,700 lane kilometres of which are divided.
- The posted speed limits of Alberta’s divided highways range from 100 to 110 km/h, although the posted speed limits on segments passing through cities, towns and First Nation lands can be as low as 50 km/h due to factors such as signalized intersections, pedestrians and local access.
Related information
- The survey is available online.
A new Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee has been struck to address classroom challenges.
Taking action on class size and complexity
Classrooms in Alberta continue to grow and are becoming increasingly complex, and immediate action is needed to address these issues in the public education system. To meet these issues head on, the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee has been created. The cabinet committee will help guide government policy and deploy resources to deal with class sizes and classroom complexity.
“We are committed to providing world-class education, and we’re building schools and funding education at a rate unprecedented in this province. This committee will help us address the concerns of teachers, parents and students around class sizes and complexity.”
Throughout November, Alberta’s government will continue work with school boards to collect data on class sizes and classroom composition. The cabinet committee will use this data to direct resources to the classrooms that need it the most. Starting in January, this data will be made available and released annually.
The Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee will be co-chaired by the Premier of Alberta and the Minister of Education and Childcare. It will also include non-voting members representing school boards, administrators and a teacher representative of the ATA. The committee will also hear from school boards, academic experts, teachers, educational assistants, complex needs specialists and parents to inform its decisions and guide this vital work.
“We heard teacher concerns, and we are providing solutions. The Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee will help us take immediate action and ensure teachers and students are given the support they need to succeed.”
In June 2025, Alberta’s government established the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team to provide advice on addressing classroom complexity. The report has been received and will be released soon. Over the coming months, the cabinet committee will start rolling out solutions informed by the action team’s recommendations. In addition, the committee will guide the creation of a new inclusive education policy framework.
“The work of this committee will support teachers in responding to the growing complexity in our classrooms. We will ensure that the voices of the contributors to the initial work guide
solutions that truly improve the educational experience for students and the educators who serve them.”
“I appreciate the government’s recognition of the impact of classroom complexity and their commitment to working collaboratively for improvement. Supporting teachers ultimately improves classroom conditions and student outcomes.”
Using data collected, this cabinet committee will also guide Alberta’s government in executing its commitment to hire 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 new educational assistants over the next three years. They will also assist in identifying and prioritizing where new schools and modulars should be built, advancing the government’s commitment to invest $8.6 billion to build 130 new schools, and provide 109 modular classrooms in the growing communities that need them urgently.
Quick facts
- Members of the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee include:
- Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta
- Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare
- Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services
- Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
- Searle Turton, Minister of Child and Family Services
- Lynnette Anderson, chief superintendent, Edmonton Catholic Schools
- Nicole Buchanan, chair, Red Deer Public Schools
- Marilyn Dennis, former president of Alberta School Boards Association
- Mike McMann, superintendent, Fort Vermilion Schools and President, College of Alberta School Superintendents
- Joanne Pitman, chief superintendent, Calgary Board of Education
- Dr. Elissa Corsi, Alberta Teachers’ Association
- Only Cabinet members are voting members. Additional guests will be invited to attend and share their expertise at the discretion of the chairs.
- School boards will be required to submit data on Alberta classrooms by Nov. 24.
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