The Alberta government expects to learn soon whether its negotiations with Ottawa have yielded results after the province was notably absent from the latest list of projects designated for federal fast-tracking.
Federal Announcement Excludes Alberta Projects
Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Terrace, B.C. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, announced seven new projects that will be referred to his government's major projects office. None of these projects were based in Alberta, despite ongoing discussions between the federal and provincial governments.
The announcement comes after Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had previously discussed reaching an agreement to expand Alberta's energy industry by Sunday's Grey Cup game. However, both sides now indicate that more time is required to finalize terms.
Negotiations Continue Despite Setback
"There's a few more issues that we're working on ironing out," Carney stated regarding the negotiations with Alberta. The Prime Minister expressed personal encouragement from discussions so far and anticipated further progress "in the coming weeks."
Carney emphasized that his government was seeking a major investment and that Alberta "puts the industry, puts the country in a position for the energy future." He described Canada's energy prospects as "low-risk, low cost, and low carbon" for both clean and conventional energy sources.
Pathways Forward for Alberta Energy
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the carbon capture storage project led by the Pathways Alliance as an example of progress. He has previously described this project as a prerequisite for any new pipeline development.
"This is a huge opportunity for Canada to develop a new industry, to have decarbonized oil and gas, and is very much part of these discussions that we're having with Alberta," Carney explained.
Meanwhile, Premier Smith's office issued a statement confirming that work would continue on the memorandum of understanding with Carney's government. The Alberta government continues to seek "the removal, carve out or overhaul of several damaging laws chasing away private investment in our energy sector" and an agreement to work toward ultimate approval of a bitumen pipeline to Asian markets.
The newly announced federal projects include:
- A liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia
- A hydro energy project in Iqaluit
- A transmission line in northwestern B.C.
- The Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor through B.C. and Yukon
- Critical mineral mines in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Quebec
Multiple media reports on Wednesday had already indicated that a new oil pipeline would not appear on the federal list, setting the stage for continued negotiations between Alberta and Ottawa over the province's energy future.
