{"id":919785,"date":"2026-10-04T02:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T02:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/919785\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T02:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T02:46:11","slug":"pacific-link-pipeline-takes-on-political-significance-as-alberta-referendum-nears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/919785\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacific Link pipeline takes on political significance as Alberta referendum nears"},"content":{"rendered":"

OTTAWA – The recently dubbed \u201cPacific Link\u201d pipeline is expected to carry up to one million barrels of oil a day to the Pacific Coast once it is built.<\/p>\n

But the project is also carrying political significance, as Albertans prepare to vote on their province\u2019s future in Canada in little more than two weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, the pipeline was designated by the federal government as its first project of national interest \u2014 a move intended to streamline the approval process and speed up construction.<\/p>\n

In an interview with CTV\u2019s Vassy Kapelos for \u201cQuestion Period,\u201d Energy Minister Tim Hodgson touted the project\u2019s potential to open new markets for Canadian oil.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in a world where people are looking for new alternatives, new suppliers. They\u2019re looking for trusted partners,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t sign our contracts in pencil. We don\u2019t use our energy for coercion … Most of the countries in the world are looking for new sources of supply, and they see Canada as an ideal provider of that oil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pipeline takes on political significance<\/p>\n

But beyond the economic arguments, there is a political dimension to the pipeline as well, particularly because of its implications for national unity as an Alberta referendum on the province\u2019s place in Canada fast approaches.<\/p>\n

During Thursday\u2019s announcement, both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pointed to the co-operation between the two levels of government that made the project possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"From left, Scott Burrows, CEO of the Pembina Pipeline Corp, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after speaking in Fort McMurray on Thursday Oct 1, 2026. Prime Minister Mark Carney declared the Pacific Link pipeli… From left, Scott Burrows, CEO of the Pembina Pipeline Corp, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after speaking in Fort McMurray on Thursday Oct 1, 2026. Prime Minister Mark Carney declared the Pacific Link pipeline project to be in the national interest. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Greg Halinda <\/p>\n

\u201cI think the demonstration of today\u2019s announcement is Canada is working. We came together, we looked at an opportunity, and this opportunity is unlocked by Canada as a whole,\u201d Carney said.<\/p>\n

Carney added that it was not just Ottawa and Alberta, but British Columbia, Indigenous rights holders and unionized labour that helped make the potential pipeline to the Pacific Coast possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the country as a whole coming together and helping support it, and it is a demonstration of the power of Canada.\u201d the prime minister said.<\/p>\n

For her part, Smith said the project demonstrated that federal and provincial governments can work together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one example, along with the work we\u2019ve done over the last year, I think of demonstrating that co-operative federalism can work in action,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Separation vote at heart of Alberta referendum<\/p>\n

But the question remains: what impact will the pipeline\u2019s designation have on the Alberta referendum?<\/p>\n

On Oct. 19, Albertans will be asked to vote on 10 referendum questions.<\/p>\n

Four deal with constitutional issues, while five are non-constitutional.<\/p>\n

\"\"A ballot for the 2026 Alberta referendum is shown in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/James Maclennan A ballot for the 2026 Alberta referendum is shown in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS\/James Maclennan) <\/p>\n

But it is the 10th question that is getting the most attention.<\/p>\n

It asks: \u201cShould Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent polling suggests most Albertans would vote to remain in Canada.<\/p>\n

But a substantial minority would choose the second option.<\/p>\n

Smith acknowledged that support for separation remains higher than she would like.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think in the latest poll it was about 22 per cent. Still too high for my liking,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t like the fact that that many of our fellow citizens have given up on Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pipeline could sway \u2018voters on the fence\u2019<\/p>\n

Polls suggest many Albertans have already made up their minds. But there remains a group of voters \u2014 estimated by some pollsters at between five and 10 per cent \u2014 who are either undecided or uncertain about how they will vote.<\/p>\n

It is those voters who could be most affected by Thursday\u2019s announcement, according to Lori Williams, a political science professor at Calgary\u2019s Mount Royal University.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere it might make a bit of a difference is in those folks that are sitting on the fence, perhaps undecided, or what we call frustrated federalists or soft separatists,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd those folks potentially could be persuaded not only to change their mind on the referendum question but be motivated enough to come out and vote accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A voting sign to be used for the 2026 Alberta Referendum in Edmonton on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/James Maclennan A voting sign to be used for the 2026 Alberta Referendum in Edmonton on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/James Maclennan Turnout could shape Alberta referendum result<\/p>\n

Voter turnout could also play a significant role.<\/p>\n

Federalists in Alberta are seeking a strong result on Oct. 19 as they try to blunt separatist sentiment in the province.<\/p>\n

But if polls pointing to a strong federalist majority lead some voters who support remaining in Canada to stay home, the separatist side could account for a larger share of the final vote.<\/p>\n

That could give separatists a result they could point to as evidence of continued support for their cause, potentially sustaining the issue beyond the referendum.<\/p>\n

Nik Nanos, head of Nanos Research, agrees that the pipeline announcement could have an impact on voters who are undecided or less firmly committed.<\/p>\n

He believes Thursday\u2019s announcement could help galvanize voters who are looking for a reason to support the federalist side.<\/p>\n

But Nanos cautions that it may not be enough to prevent separatists from posting a significant result.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe big wild card in this referendum is who will decide to vote, and how motivated are the different factions that are battling on this referendum,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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