Last week marked a major milestone for Alberta’s energy future. The proposed west coast oil pipeline has a new name and has been officially designated as a project of national interest. Our government is also moving forward with plans for high-speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton, proposing tougher penalties for illegal dumping, and investing in specialized health care for southern Alberta.
Alberta’s government has fought hard to get pipelines built that will get more Alberta energy to global markets, and the Pacific Link pipeline is a vital step towards that goal. The proposed west coast pipeline – now with a new name – will carry one million barrels of oil per day from Alberta to Canada’s west coast, giving producers greater access to customers in Asia. Alberta is working with Trans Mountain Corporation, which will lead development of the project, and Pembina Pipeline Corporation, which is bringing private-sector expertise and investment. This recent national-interest designation means the project will be fast-tracked through one coordinated federal review process. Pacific Link is expected to create up to 140,000 jobs during construction and add more than $20 billion a year to Canada’s economy once operational. This project will also generate more than $265 billion in provincial royalties over 50 years of operation. By expanding access to global markets, the project will help position Alberta and Canada as a global energy superpower.
Alberta is taking the next step toward high-speed rail between Alberta’s two largest cities. This fall, the province plans to invite the private sector to submit proposals for a line connecting downtown Calgary, Red Deer, and downtown Edmonton, with service to Airdrie and both major airports. A dedicated high-speed train will make the trip between Calgary and Edmonton in about one hour and 45 minutes. Government will select a proponent for the project by April 2027. The federal government has also committed to working with Alberta to advance the project once that selection is made. This project will give Albertans a faster transportation option while strengthening one of the province’s busiest economic corridors.
Alberta’s government is also taking action to protect private property and make those who illegally dump waste face the consequences. Our government plans to introduce legislation this fall that would set fines for individuals who engage in illegal dumping between $10,000 and $100,000 and allow courts to impose jail sentences ranging from 30 days to six months. Corporations that participate in illegal dumping would face fines of up to $1 million. These proposed changes are intended to deter illegal dumping while ensuring that offenders, not farmers, landowners, municipalities, and taxpayers, are responsible for cleanup costs.
Southern Albertans will benefit from expanded access to specialized diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment. Our government is providing $64 million toward the Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre at Foothills Medical Centre. The centre will contain Calgary’s first cyclotron, a machine that produces short-lived radioactive materials used to make medicines for positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans, as well as some cancer treatments. These materials are currently produced only in Edmonton. Producing them in Calgary will strengthen the local supply and help expand diagnostic imaging for cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions, and other serious illnesses. Once completed, the facility will more than triple Alberta’s capacity
to produce medicines for PET scans and nearly double capacity for SPECT scans.
From opening new markets for Alberta energy to advancing high-speed rail to protecting private property and expanding specialized health care, our government is getting the job done by investing in infrastructure, services, and opportunities Albertans need today while building a stronger future for our province.