The Alberta government is exploring three distinct pipeline corridors through northern British Columbia and six potential port locations on the province's northern coast, according to confidential documents obtained by CBC News and presented to community leaders during consultations this spring. One route originates near Fort McMurray and extends westward to Observatory Inlet, located over 800 kilometers north of Vancouver. The other two routes begin near Fort Saskatchewan, northeast of Edmonton, with one ending at Nasoga Gulf and another connecting to the coastal communities of Kitimat and Prince Rupert. The province is also considering a fourth route through southern British Columbia and a port in the Vancouver area.

All proposed port options are situated in regions where oil tankers are currently prohibited under the federal oil tanker moratorium. Energy analysts suggest the selected routes prioritize political feasibility over cost efficiency, targeting communities perceived as more supportive of pipeline development. The Alberta government plans to submit its proposal to the federal Major Projects Office by July 1, with construction potentially beginning as early as 2027, though officials have not yet committed to a specific route or general corridor in that submission.

Alberta's Indigenous Relations minister has led consultations with over 40 Indigenous communities across a broad region in both provinces. Energy experts caution that the proposed timeline is extremely ambitious, given the complex terrain through British Columbia including mountains, protected areas, and critical salmon habitat in the Nass and Skeena rivers, along with extensive engineering, consultation, and regulatory requirements. Premier Danielle Smith is coordinating the project with Prime Minister Mark Carney as part of a broader federal-provincial agreement that also addresses methane regulations and industrial carbon taxation.

B.C. Premier David Eby has maintained his opposition to the pipeline proposal, rejecting the notion that such projects should be rewarded through expedited approval processes. Recent consultations with northeastern B.C. regional governments revealed persistent questions about pipeline ownership, long-term regional benefits, and measures to address Indigenous concerns and secure provincial support. Alberta government representatives conducting these consultations acknowledged they cannot provide specific details about routing or ownership structures while the proposal remains in its preliminary phases.