Major project · Alberta, British Columbia
West Coast Oil Pipeline
Also called Pacific Link, WCOP, west coast pipeline project, West Coast Oil Pipeline Project
Proponent: Government of Alberta.
Major Projects Office pageNo photograph is published on the Major Projects Office page.
Why it is listed
Federal funding. Federal funding stated: ownership
Canada and Alberta will share equal ownership of Pacific Link.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
ProponentThe Government of Alberta is proposing the West Coast Oil Pipeline (the Project), an interprovincial pipeline capable of transporting one million barrels per day (MMb/d) of Canadian crude oilSource, read Oct. 3, 2026
Status
On October 1, 2026, the Government of Canada announced WCOP as a project of national interest listed under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Roadmap
- Done
- Not yet reached
Referred to Major Projects OfficeDone
July 2, 2026
On July 2, 2026, the Government of Canada officially referred WCOP to MPO and initiated the process to consider listing it under the Building Canada Act.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Listing consultations beginDone
about 1 month earlier than the previous step.
July 2026
In July 2026, MPO began consultations with Indigenous communities, provincial governments, and with federal permitting departments, as a part of the process towards assessing the potential listing of WCOP
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Canada Gazette notice of potential listingDone
About 1 month after the previous step.
Aug. 1, 2026
On August 1, 2026, Canada provided notice in the Canada Gazette that the Governor in Council may amend Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act to list WCOP as a project of national interest.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Listed as project of national interest (Schedule 1, Building Canada Act)Done
2 months after the previous step.
Oct. 1, 2026
On October 1, 2026, the Government of Canada announced WCOP as a project of national interest listed under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Federal review led by MPO with Canada Energy RegulatorNot yet reached
Time from the previous step is not stated.
Date not stated. Not estimated: fewer than five projects date both this step and the previous one.
Over the next year, the MPO, supported by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), will lead the federal review process
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Conditions to be finalizedNot yet reached
Time from the previous step is not stated.
Sept. 1, 2027
The MPO will work to finalise those conditions by September 1, 2027, clearing the way to get shovels in the ground.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Funding
OwnershipCanada and Alberta will share equal ownership of Pacific Link.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Loan guaranteeIndigenous communities will be offered a minimum of 10% ownership interest, financed through Canada and Alberta’s Indigenous Loan Guarantee Programs.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Laws named in the sources
Building Canada Act
The West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, has now been listed as a project of national interest under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
The project is listed or considered under this act. Bills that name it are linked below.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act
The corridor for the pipeline largely aligns with disturbed land and existing infrastructure, including the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system (i.e., Line 2, the Trans Mountain Expansion Project) and will not require any adjustment to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Bills
- C-39 (45-1), Building Canada Strong Actin progress · 2Names “Building Canada Act” in its summary, the act this project is listed or considered under.
- C-5 (45-1), One Canadian Economy Actlaw · 6Names “Building Canada Act” in its long title, the act this project is listed or considered under.
Sources
- Major Projects Office page for this project
- Prime Minister Carney lists the West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, as a project of national interest to unlock Canada’s full potential as a global energy superpower | Prime Minister of CanadaRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Canada and Alberta advance west coast pipeline project proposal and Pathways Project Carbon Capture Initiative – to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy | Prime Minister of CanadaRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Memorandum of understanding - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Building Canada Act – Projects of National Interest - One Canadian Economy - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Major Projects OfficeThe office list this project is drawn from.