Sask Premier Scott Moe backs Alberta pipeline, says ‘no B.C. coast’

When Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Government stepped up to the podium at a media briefing in Saskatoon in late September 2023, he declared the proposed western‑coast oil pipeline "the most significant, generationally important infrastructure project that Canada could consider."

The announcement came a day after Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta Alberta Government unveiled a $14,000,000 CAD funded technical study for a new oil conduit that would ship crude from Alberta’s interior to the northwest coast of British Columbia, near Kitimat.

What makes Moe’s comment flash‑point is his blunt claim that "there is no B.C. coast – it’s Canada’s coast," a line that instantly pulled the federal government, led by Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, into the fray.

Background to the West‑Coast Pipeline Idea

Canada’s oil export picture has been a stubbornly single‑track story: in 2022, 97% of crude left the country bound for the United States, according to Natural Resources Canada. The western‑coast route is billed as a way to break that dependency, opening new markets in Asia and Europe.

The plan isn’t brand‑new. It echoes the 2018 approval of the Trans Mountain expansion and the 2020 cancellation of the Keystone XL project, both of which sparked fierce jurisdictional debates between provincial and federal authorities.

Legally, the province of British Columbia claims jurisdiction over its natural resources under Section 92A of the Constitution Act, while Alberta leans on Section 92(5) for “local works and undertakings.” The clash over who gets the final say is why the federal designation as a "nation‑building" project matters – it would route the proposal through the streamlined process of the Canada Energy Regulator Act.

Details of Moe’s September 2023 Media Briefing

During the media briefing Saskatoon, Moe warned that the British Columbia government "won’t have the final say on whether or not the pipeline happens." He added, "There are no B.C. ports; they are Canada’s ports," underscoring a federal‑first stance.

He also painted a rosy picture of the economic ripple effect: "Steel would come from across this nation along with many workers," he said, referencing Statistics Canada data that the energy sector employed 531,000 Canadians and contributed $133.5 billion to GDP in 2022.

In a short, punchy sound bite, Moe urged the Trudeau government to "remove regulatory hurdles that slow down the advancing of oil production," positioning the pipeline as a linchpin for Canada’s goal of lifting oil output to 6.2 million barrels per day by 2030, up from 5.1 million barrels in 2023, per the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

Political Reactions Across the Prairies and B.C.

The response was split along provincial lines. David Eby, Premier of British Columbia BC NDP Government issued a firm "full disagreement" statement, citing environmental concerns and Indigenous rights.

In Alberta, Smith framed the project as a "global energy superpower" opportunity, saying the province is ready to "diversify our export value away from the U.S."

Across the Prairies, the Saskatchewan Party government, led by Moe, threw its full weight behind the venture, while opposition parties in both provinces voiced caution, pointing to climate commitments and the risk of costly delays.

Media commentary reflected the divide. A column by Doug Cuthand on September 26 warned that "environment and First Nations are being bypassed," while an unnamed editorial questioned the "business case" for another pipeline.

Economic and Legal Stakes

• Funding: Alberta’s $14 million CAD earmarked for early technical work, slated for submission to the Canada Energy Regulator by 31 December 2023.
• Regulatory deadline: If designated a nation‑building project, the Governor in Council must act before 31 March 2024.
• Job impact: Project proponents claim the pipeline will generate thousands of construction jobs and sustained steel‑fabrication work across Canada.
• Export outlook: Diversifying beyond the U.S. could open Asian markets, potentially adding $5‑10 billion in annual revenues, according to industry forecasts.

Legal scholars note that even a federal nation‑building label won’t erase B.C.’s constitutional claim. A 2022 Supreme Court decision on the Coastal GasLink dispute reaffirmed provincial rights to assess environmental impacts within their borders.

What Comes Next for the Project

Alberta’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals is racing to wrap up the technical package before the year‑end deadline. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s cabinet office is quietly weighing the political costs of siding with the west‑coast vision versus respecting B.C.’s jurisdiction.

If the federal government gives the green light, the pipeline could start construction in 2025, with an expected operational date in 2029. Critics warn that delays could push the project beyond the 2030 production target, leaving Canada hemmed in by its U.S. market.

What’s certain is that the debate will keep spilling into town‑halls, TV panels, and Indigenous council rooms for months, if not years. As Moe summed up, "This is what it takes if we truly believe we want to diversify our export value away from the U.S."