Pipeline support shows Canada works: PM
Published 2:00 pm Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Federal government support for a West Coast pipeline shows Canada works, said Prime Minister Mark Carney.
At a news conference with Premier Danielle Smith on Oct. 1 announcing that a new pipeline to the B.C. coast has been officially designated a project of national interest the prime minister was asked about Alberta’s looming independence referendum and what message might be sent those favouring separation.
“I think the demonstration of today’s announcement is that Canada is working,” said Carney. “We came together. We looked at an opportunity and this opportunity is unlocked by Canada as a whole.”
While the oil will come from Alberta, it will be transported in a pipeline that must travel through B.C. and through hundreds of Indigenous rightsholders’ properties. The federal government plays a role in developing new technologies, reaching trade agreements and promoting skilled workforce initiatives.
“It is a demonstration of the power of Canada.”
Smith said she has made it clear she will vote to stay in Canada.
“I’ve been doing as many speeches, public appearances and coffee parties to convince more and more Albertans to do the same.
“The number saying they’re going to vote Option 2 in the latest poll was about 22 per cent. Still too high for my liking. I don’t like that fact that that many of our fellow citizens have given up on Canada
“And I think it is incumbent on both myself and the prime minister to continue identifying the issues that have caused that disheartening reaction and also to work on resolving them.
“This is one example along with the work we’ve done over the last year I think of demonstrating that co-operative federalism can work in action.”
Smith said there will always be areas of disagreement “but the approach I’ve seen the Government of Canada take is one where they genuinely want to identify problems and genuinely want to solve them.
“I think that is going to demonstrate that Canada can work.”