Project Spotlight

Pacific Link Pipeline (formerly West Coast Oil Pipeline)

The Government of Alberta, in partnership with the federal government, is advancing a proposed crude oil pipeline from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a deepwater port near Delta, British Columbia. The project, formally known as Pacific Link, was listed as a project of national interest on 1 October 2026, the first to receive that designation under the Building Canada Act. Trans Mountain Corporation will develop, construct and operate the pipeline on behalf of the project ownership group. The proposed route follows a southern corridor through British Columbia, largely parallel to the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system.

Sources: Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026; Government of Alberta, Pacific Link; Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline

Overview 

Pacific Link is a proposed interprovincial crude oil pipeline with a capacity of one million barrels per day. The pipeline would run up to approximately 1,250 kilometres from Bruderheim, northeast of Edmonton, to a deepwater port near Delta, British Columbia, approximately 35 kilometres south of Vancouver. The project comprises a receipt tank terminal at Bruderheim, approximately 11 pump stations along the route, a delivery tank terminal near Delta, and an offshore marine loading facility with capacity for very large crude carriers. The proposed corridor largely aligns with existing disturbed land and infrastructure, including the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system. The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which restricts large oil tanker traffic along British Columbia's north coast, remains in place and is unaffected by this proposal.

Sources: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026

Key Facts

 Sources: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026; CBC News, 1 October 2026 

Development

Alberta's government announced on 1 October 2025 its intention to act as initial proponent for a new crude oil pipeline to the west coast, committing C$14 million for early planning work including preliminary engineering, cost estimates, economic modelling and early Indigenous engagement. In total, Alberta contributed just over C$18 million to support early planning before the project advanced to its current partnership structure.

On 27 November 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Calgary covering energy matters including a pathway for a new west coast oil pipeline. The MOU committed Alberta to delivering a formal submission to the Major Projects Office by 1 July 2026 and stipulated that the project would be privately constructed and financed, with Indigenous co-ownership requirements.

On 15 May 2026, Canada and Alberta signed an Implementation Agreement building on the November 2025 MOU, setting out the framework for advancing the pipeline and targeting construction commencement as early as 1 September 2027.

On 2 July 2026, Alberta formally submitted its pipeline proposal to the Major Projects Office. The submission adopted a southern route through British Columbia, largely following the existing Trans Mountain corridor, rather than the originally discussed northern route. At the same time, Alberta announced its intent to partner with Trans Mountain Corporation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation to advance project development.

On 1 August 2026, Canada published notice in the Canada Gazette that the Governor in Council may amend Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act to list the project as a project of national interest.

On 1 October 2026, the Government of Canada listed Pacific Link on Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act as a project of national interest, the first project to receive this designation.

Sources: Government of Alberta, Pacific Link; Canadian Press via Richmond Sentinel, 1 October 2025; Prime Minister's Office, 2 July 2026; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026; Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, 22 May 2026

Development Stage (October 2026) 

Status: Project of national interest; federal review under way

The Major Projects Office, supported by the Canada Energy Regulator, is leading the federal review process and consultations on the conditions for the project. The review covers ownership structure, environmental protections, respect for Indigenous rights, local hiring, and oversight provisions. The conditions document, which would serve as the Canada Energy Regulator certificate including Fisheries Act authorisations and Species at Risk Act permits among other federal permits, is targeted for completion by 1 September 2027. The precise route remains to be determined and will continue to be developed through the next stages of the Building Canada Act process, including working closely with stakeholders and Indigenous communities.

Sources: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026

Timeline

 Sources: Government of Alberta, Pacific Link; Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026

Ownership Structure 

Trans Mountain Corporation, the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission and Pembina Pipeline Corporation will form and lead a new jointly owned company to develop Pacific Link. Trans Mountain Corporation and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission will own equal shares of the balance of the project after Pembina's interest. Pembina Pipeline Corporation's economic interest through construction will be 10 per cent, with the opportunity for up to an additional 10 per cent once the project enters commercial operation. Trans Mountain Corporation will be engaged by the new company to design, develop, permit, construct and operate the project.

Source: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline

Indigenous Participation 

The project proponents have committed to offering Indigenous communities a minimum of 10 per cent ownership interest in Pacific Link, financed through the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation and the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation. The Major Projects Office consulted with more than 130 Indigenous communities near or along potential routes in Alberta and British Columbia prior to the national interest listing. Indigenous engagement, consultation, participation and equity partnership opportunities are described by the proponents as central to the development of Pacific Link. Consultations regarding Indigenous equity participation will continue as project-specific information becomes available through the regulatory review process.

Concurrent negotiations between Ottawa and First Nations communities regarding a 15 per cent ownership stake in the existing Trans Mountain system, which follows largely the same route, are also under way.

Sources: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026; Globe and Mail, 1 October 2026

Technical Specifications 

The precise route has not been determined. Alberta's submission to the Major Projects Office included two route options: an “Optimised” route of 1,211 km and an “Original” route of 1,246 km. Of the Optimised route, approximately 43 per cent would run within 100 metres of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline; for the Original route, the figure is approximately 66 per cent.

The project comprises a receipt tank terminal at Bruderheim where product will be received, measured, stored and pumped through the pipeline; approximately 11 pump stations along the route; and a delivery tank terminal and offshore marine loading facility near Delta with capacity for very large crude carriers. Power interconnection, transmission and possible generation infrastructure are also included in the project scope.

Sources: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Open Data Canada, Pacific Link route map

Regulatory Framework

Pacific Link is the first project to receive national interest designation under the Building Canada Act. This designation places the project under a single consolidated federal review led by the Major Projects Office and supported by the Canada Energy Regulator. The conditions document, targeted for 1 September 2027, would serve as the Canada Energy Regulator certificate and would integrate Fisheries Act authorisations, Species at Risk Act permits and other federal permits that would otherwise be issued separately.

The review process includes Indigenous consultation, public hearings led by the Canada Energy Regulator on technical, environmental, social, cultural, health, safety and security elements of the project, and coordination by the Major Projects Office with other federal permitting departments.

The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which restricts large oil tanker traffic along British Columbia's north coast, is maintained. The southern route to the deepwater port near Delta does not require any adjustment to that legislation.

Sources: Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline; Prime Minister's Office, 1 October 2026

Resources

• Prime Minister's Office, national interest listing, 1 October 2026

• Prime Minister's Office, referral and Pathways announcement, 2 July 2026

• Major Projects Office, West Coast Oil Pipeline

• Government of Alberta, Pacific Link

• Alberta Major Projects, Pacific Link Pipeline

• CBC News, national interest designation, 1 October 2026

• Globe and Mail, national interest designation, 1 October 2026

• Open Data Canada, Pacific Link route map and cost

• Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Implementation Agreement analysis, 22 May 2026

• Global Energy Monitor, Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline