Alberta's Pipeline Predicament: Premier Smith Stays Tight-Lipped on Max Costs

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is digging in her heels, refusing to disclose the maximum amount the province is prepared to spend on a new oil pipeline should the federal government fail to deliver on its promise of market access. This stance has ignited a heated debate, leaving both opposition figures and industry watchers questioning the financial transparency surrounding such a monumental provincial undertaking.

Smith’s government has floated the idea of building a new pipeline to tidewater, a contingency plan if Ottawa doesn't ensure Alberta's landlocked oil can reach global markets more effectively.

The discussion comes hot on the heels of the Trans Mountain expansion project’s turbulent journey, plagued by delays and ballooning costs, making the prospect of another provincial foray into pipeline construction a significant point of contention.

When pressed on the potential price tag, Premier Smith maintained that revealing a maximum figure would severely undermine Alberta's negotiating leverage.

She pointed to a 2019 report, the Macleod report, which had previously estimated a new pipeline could cost an eye-watering $30 billion. Yet, critics argue that this historical figure doesn't absolve the current government of its responsibility to provide contemporary financial transparency for taxpayers.

The lack of openness has drawn sharp criticism.

Rachel Notley, leader of Alberta's NDP opposition, lambasted the Premier's position as “staggering,” demanding to know why Albertans are being kept in the dark about the potential financial burden of a massive infrastructure project. The memory of the Trans Mountain project’s escalating costs, which saw the federal government acquire it for $4.5 billion and then watch its estimated completion cost soar to over $34 billion, casts a long shadow over these discussions.

Concerns aren't limited to the opposition.

Experts also voice apprehension, highlighting the inherent risks for taxpayers. There’s a palpable fear that Alberta could be repeating past mistakes, potentially pouring billions into a project without a clear cap or robust financial oversight. The core argument remains: how can a government commit to potentially billions in spending without offering a clear fiscal boundary to its citizens?

Meanwhile, federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has reiterated Ottawa's focus on completing the Trans Mountain expansion.

He stated that the federal government sees no immediate necessity for an additional pipeline, emphasizing that such large-scale infrastructure projects should ideally be driven by the private sector, not by provincial or federal governments.

Despite the federal government's position and the public outcry for transparency, Premier Smith remains steadfast.

She insists that Alberta desperately needs another pipeline to reduce its over-reliance on the U.S. market, which often leads to discounted prices for its oil. For Smith, a direct route to the coast isn't just an option—it’s an economic imperative for the province's prosperity.