Alberta
U.S. tariffs or not, Canada needs to build new oil and gas pipeline space fast
From the Canadian Energy Centre
Expansion work underway takes on greater importance amid trade dispute
Last April, as the frozen landscape began its spring thaw, a 23-kilometre stretch of newly built pipeline started moving natural gas across northwest Alberta.
There was no fanfare when this small extension of TC Energy’s Nova Gas Transmission Limited (NGTL) system went online – adding room for more gas than all the homes in Calgary use every day.
It’s part of the ongoing expansion of the NGTL system, which connects natural gas from British Columbia and Alberta to the vast TC Energy network. In fact, one in every 10 molecules of natural gas moved across North America touches NGTL.
With new uncertainty emerging from Canada’s biggest oil and gas customer – the United States – there is a rallying cry to get new major pipelines built to reach across Canada and to wider markets.
Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson recently said the country should consider building a new west-east oil pipeline following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs, calling the current lack of cross-country pipelines a “vulnerability,” CBC reported.
“I think we need to reflect on that,” Wilkinson said. “That creates some degree of uncertainty. I think, in that context, we will as a country want to have some conversations about infrastructure that provides greater security for us.”
Many industry experts see the threat to Canada’s economy as a wake-up call for national competitiveness, arguing to keep up the momentum following the long-awaited completion of two massive pipelines across British Columbia over the last 18 months. Both of which took more than a decade to build amidst political turmoil, regulatory hurdles, activist opposition and huge cost overruns.
On May 1, 2024, the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) started delivering crude oil to the West Coast, providing a much-needed outlet for Alberta’s growing oil production.
Several months before that, TC Energy finished work on the 670-kilometre Coastal Gaslink pipeline, which provides the first direct path for Canadian natural gas to reach international markets when the LNG Canada export terminal in Kitimat begins operating later this year.
TMX and Coastal GasLink provide enormous benefits for the Canadian economy, but neither are sufficient to meet the long-term growth of oil and gas production in Western Canada.
More oil pipeline capacity needed soon
TMX added 590,000 barrels per day of pipeline capacity, nearly tripling the volume of crude reaching the West Coast where it can be shipped to international markets.
In less than a year, the extra capacity has enabled Canadian oil production to reach all-time highs of more than five million barrels per day.
More oil reaching tidewater has also shrunk the traditional discount on Alberta’s heavy oil, generating an extra $10 billion in revenues, while crude oil exports to Asia have surged from $49 million in 2023 to $3.6 billion in 2024, according to ATB analyst Mark Parsons.
With oil production continuing to grow, the need for more pipeline space could return as soon as next year, according to analysts and major pipeline operators.
Even shortly after TMX began operation, S&P Global analysts Celina Hwang and Kevin Birn warned that “by early 2026, we forecast the need for further export capacity to ensure that the system remains balanced on pipeline economics.”
Pipeline owners are hoping to get ahead of another oil glut, with plans to expand existing systems already underway.
Trans Mountain vice-president Jason Balasch told Reuters the company is looking at projects that could add up to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of capacity within the next five years.
Meanwhile, Canada’s biggest oil pipeline company is working with Alberta’s government and other customers to expand its major export pipelines as part of the province’s plan to double crude production in the coming years.
Enbridge expects it can add as much as 300,000 bpd of capacity out of Western Canada by 2028 through optimization of its Mainline system and U.S. market access pipelines.
Enbridge spokesperson Gina Sutherland said the company can add capacity in a number of ways including system optimizations and the use of so-called drag reducing agents, which allow more fluid to flow by reducing turbulence.
LNG and electricity drive strong demand for natural gas
Growing global demand for energy also presents enormous opportunities for Canada’s natural gas industry, which also requires new transportation infrastructure to keep pace with demand at home and abroad.
The first phase of the LNG Canada export terminal is expected to begin shipping 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas per day (Bcf/d) later this year, spurring the first big step in an expected 30 per cent increase in gas production in Western Canada over the next decade.
With additional LNG projects in development and demand increasing, the spiderweb of pipes that gathers Alberta and B.C.’s abundant gas supplies need to continue to grow.
TC Energy CEO Francois Poirier is “very bullish” about the prosect of building a second phase of the recently completed Coastal GasLink pipeline connecting natural gas in northeast B.C. to LNG terminals on the coast at Kitimat.
The company is also continuously expanding NGTL, which transports about 80 per cent of Western Canada’s production, with more than $3 billion in growth projects planned by 2030 to add another 1 Bcf/d of capacity.
Meanwhile Enbridge sees about $7 billion in future growth opportunities on its natural gas system in British Columbia.
In addition to burgeoning LNG exports from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, TC Energy sees huge potential for gas to continue replacing coal-fired electricity generation, especially as a boom in power-hunger data centres unfolds.
With such strong prospects for North America’s highly integrated energy system, Poirier recently argued in the Wall Street Journal that leaders should be focused on finding common ground for energy in the current trade dispute.
“Our collective strength on energy provides a chance to expand our economies, advance national security and reduce global emissions,“ he wrote in a Feb. 3 OpEd.
“By working together across North America and supporting the free flow of energy throughout the continent, we can achieve energy security, affordability and reliability more effectively than any country could achieve on its own.”
Alberta
Province announces plans for nine new ‘urgent care centres’ – redirecting 200,000 hospital visits
Expanding urgent care across Alberta
If passed, Budget 2025 includes $17 million in planning funds to support the development of urgent care facilities across the province.
As Alberta’s population grows, so does the demand for health care. In response, the government is making significant investments to ensure every Albertan has access to high-quality care close to home. Currently, more than 35 per cent of emergency department visits are for non-life-threatening conditions that could be treated at urgent care centres. By expanding these centres, Alberta’s government is enhancing the health care system and improving access to timely care.
If passed, Budget 2025 includes $15 million to support plans for eight new urgent care centres and an additional $2 million in planning funds for an integrated primary and urgent care facility in Airdrie. These investments will help redirect up to 200,000 lower-acuity emergency department visits annually, freeing up capacity for life-threatening cases, reducing wait times and improving access to care for Albertans.
“More people are choosing to call Alberta home, which is why we are taking action to build capacity across the health care system. Urgent care centres help bridge the gap between primary care and emergency departments, providing timely care for non-life-threatening conditions.”
“Our team at Infrastructure is fully committed to leading the important task of planning these eight new urgent care facilities across the province. Investments into facilities like these help strengthen our communities by alleviating strains on emergency departments and enhance access to care. I am looking forward to the important work ahead.”
The locations for the eight new urgent care centres were selected based on current and projected increases in demand for lower-acuity care at emergency departments. The new facilities will be in west Edmonton, south Edmonton, Westview (Stony Plain/Spruce Grove), east Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray.
“Too many Albertans, especially those living in rural communities, are travelling significant distances to receive care. Advancing plans for new urgent care centres will build capacity across the health care system.”
“Additional urgent care centres across Alberta will give Albertans more options for accessing the right level of care when it’s needed. This is a necessary and substantial investment that will eventually ease some of the pressures on our emergency departments.”
The remaining $2 million will support planning for One Health Airdrie’s integrated primary and urgent care facility. The operating model, approved last fall, will see One Health Airdrie as the primary care operator, while urgent care services will be publicly funded and operated by a provider selected through a competitive process.
“Our new Airdrie facility, offering integrated primary and urgent care, will provide same-day access to approximately 30,000 primary care patients and increase urgent care capacity by around 200 per cent, benefiting the entire community and surrounding areas. We are very excited.”
Alberta’s government will continue to make smart, strategic investments in health facilities to support the delivery of publicly funded health programs and services to ensure Albertans have access to the care they need, when and where they need it.
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- The $2 million in planning funds for One Health Airdrie are part of a total $24-million investment to advance planning on several health capital initiatives across the province through Budget 2025.
- Alberta’s population is growing, and visits to emergency departments are projected to increase by 27 per cent by 2038.
- Last year, Alberta’s government provided $8.4 million for renovations to the existing Airdrie Community Health Centre.
Related information
Alberta’s government is helping students discover their skills and interests today, to help them find careers for tomorrow.
If passed, Budget 2025 will provide more than $100 million over three years for school boards to grow career education programs, including funding for more collegiate and dual-credit programs across Alberta.
“We are working to set students up for success by strengthening job-focused education. This money is helping schools partner with businesses, universities and colleges to create programs that will help students hit the ground running after they graduate.”
Career education helps students gain credits towards graduation while earning hands-on experience in fields like the trades, computer programming, health care, agriculture, culinary arts and more. These career education programs support a strong economy by helping students learn the skills they need to get in-demand jobs.
Collegiate schools
Collegiate schools work with businesses, universities and colleges to offer classes that give students pathways to education and careers in the job of their choice. There are 12 collegiate schools in Alberta, offering many different types of programming for grades 7-12, including aviation, graphic design, trades and more.
If passed, Budget 2025 provides more than $21 million to school boards to help fund special classrooms like carpentry workshops, film and media rooms, science laboratories, heavy equipment simulators and aircraft hangars. Another $6 million is being invested to support the start-up costs for new collegiate schools.
Dual-credit programs
Budget 2025, if passed, also provides $4.6 million in 2025/26 to start new or improve existing dual-credit programs. In partnership with universities and colleges, dual-credit programs give students a head start on rewarding careers by allowing them to earn high-school and post-secondary credits at the same time. Of the $4.6 million, $550,000 is being provided by Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services for new and improved dual-credit health care aide programs.
“Health care aides play a critical role in ensuring Albertans receive the continuing care services they need to maintain their health, independence and quality of life. Our investments into career pathways for health care aides will provide opportunities for young Albertans to develop the skills they need to build a rewarding career in Alberta’s continuing care workforce.”
Another $1.4 million is being invested to support students participating in off-campus career education programs through CAREERS. This non-profit connects students to jobs in high-demand fields, such as the trades, technology, health, forestry and agriculture.
“Investments in collegiate and dual-credit programming are significant for Calgary Catholic as they further strengthen our collegiate and dual-credit programming. This programming will open opportunities for our students and help them to realize their full potential.”
“Before Fusion Collegiate, I felt lost and wasn’t really sure what to do after high school. Thanks to its career-focused learning and the opportunities through Fusion and The Educational Partnership Foundation, I’m now working as a first-year apprentice plumber with Mr. Rooter. The hands-on trades training, high school credits, safety certifications, and real-world skills I picked up completely changed my life. I’m excited about where my career is headed and really thankful for the support that helped me get here.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta communities with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- If passed, Budget 2025 invests $102.4 million over three years to provide sustainable, predictable career education funding, and to increase access to career education for Alberta students.
- This includes $8.4 million over 2026-27 and 2027-28 to raise awareness among students and families of career education programs and pathways available to Alberta students.
- Career education in Alberta includes career and technology courses, Career and Life Management (CALM), dual-credit courses, collegiate schools, apprenticeships and off-campus education programming.
- Since 2013, more than 95,000 high school students participated in at least one dual–credit course.
- In spring 2025, Alberta Education will engage with education partners on best practices to bring more career education opportunities to students.
- Since 2022, education partners and almost 5,000 Albertans have provided their feedback on career education and workforce needs.
Related information
28 energy leaders call for eliminating ALL energy subsidies—even ones they benefit from
Carney’s Cap on Alberta Energy Costing Canada Billions
SPARC Caring Adult Nominations now open!
Manufacturers Endorse Pierre Poilievre for Prime Minister
-
Alberta1 day agoAlberta Institute urging Premier Smith to follow Saskatchewan and drop Industrial Carbon Tax
-
Addictions1 day agoShould fentanyl dealers face manslaughter charges for fatal overdoses?
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoFool Me Once: The Cost of Carney–Trudeau Tax Games
-
Alberta1 day agoAlbertans have contributed $53.6 billion to the retirement of Canadians in other provinces
-
Automotive2 days agoTrump announces 25% tariff on foreign automobiles as reciprocal tariffs loom
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoChinese Gangs Dominate Canada: Why Will Voters Give Liberals Another Term?
-
Energy1 day agoEnergy, climate, and economics — A smarter path for Canada
-
Health1 day agoHow the once-blacklisted Dr. Jay Bhattacharya could help save healthcare