NATIONAL STORIES

Pacific Link Pipeline Receives National Interest Designation

Published

5 days ago

October 1, 2026

Current Editor

Ottawa moves proposed West Coast oil pipeline into accelerated federal review

By The Current News Desk | October 1, 2026

OTTAWA — A proposed pipeline carrying Alberta oil to Canada’s West Coast has taken a significant step forward after the federal government designated the project as being in the national interest.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, joined by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Fort McMurray on Thursday, announced that the proposed Pacific Link pipeline will receive national interest designation under the federal Building Canada Act.

The designation does not constitute final approval for construction, but it gives the project access to an accelerated and coordinated federal regulatory process intended to reduce delays and provide greater certainty around approvals.

The proposed pipeline would transport approximately one million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta to a new marine terminal on British Columbia’s West Coast, opening additional capacity for Canadian oil producers to reach Asian and other international markets.

The proposed route would largely follow the existing Trans Mountain corridor, beginning near Bruderheim, Alberta, before crossing British Columbia and terminating at a proposed marine export terminal in southern B.C.

What does “national interest” mean?

The designation is important because it changes how Ottawa handles the project.

Under the Building Canada Act, projects deemed to be in the national interest can receive a more centralized and streamlined federal approval process. The legislation is intended to provide greater certainty around timelines and coordinate the federal permits and regulatory decisions required for major infrastructure projects.

It does not eliminate environmental reviews, Indigenous consultation or other regulatory requirements.

Ottawa says projects considered for national interest status are evaluated on factors including economic benefits, national security and resilience, likelihood of successful completion, Indigenous interests and Canada’s climate objectives.

For Pacific Link, the federal government is targeting September 1, 2027, for completion of the accelerated approval process.

Major economic implications for B.C.

The project could have significant implications for British Columbia.

Federal estimates suggest employment associated with construction could peak at approximately 140,000 direct and indirect jobs, including roughly 70,000 in British Columbia and 45,000 in Alberta.

The ownership structure outlined earlier this year includes Trans Mountain Corporation, the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission and Pembina Pipeline Corporation. The governments have also committed to providing Indigenous communities with opportunities for equity participation in the project.

Ottawa and Alberta argue that additional pipeline capacity is necessary to reduce Canada’s heavy dependence on the United States as an export market and give Canadian producers greater access to growing Asian markets.

More than 90 per cent of Canadian crude oil exports currently go to the United States, according to Reuters.

Significant hurdles remain

Despite Thursday’s announcement, Pacific Link is far from construction.

The project must still navigate environmental assessments, regulatory requirements, Indigenous consultation, financing arrangements and detailed engineering and routing decisions.

Pipeline development in British Columbia has historically generated significant debate involving environmental organizations, Indigenous communities, industry and different levels of government.

The federal government says consultation with Indigenous Peoples will continue throughout the process and that Canada’s constitutional obligations will remain in place.

For British Columbia, Thursday’s decision nevertheless represents a major change in the project’s status.

The question is no longer simply whether Ottawa considers another West Coast oil pipeline strategically important.

The federal government has now formally declared that it does.

What happens between now and September 2027 will determine whether that designation ultimately translates into another major piece of Canadian energy infrastructure — or another proposal that struggles to make the transition from political announcement to construction.

NATIONAL STORIES

Search Continues After Ontario-Based Medical Flight Vanishes Near Massachusetts Coast

U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching near Nantucket for a missing Latitude Air Ambulance jet carrying four Canadians and two passengers from Bermuda.

Published

23 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Current Editor

Emergency Search Underway Off Nantucket

Air and ground search teams are scanning waters approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Boston after a medical transport aircraft vanished early Saturday morning. Contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet was lost around 1:30 a.m. as it made its approach toward Boston from Bermuda, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard following notification by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flight Carrying Crew and Patients

The aircraft is operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. According to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for the company, six individuals were aboard the flight. The crew consists of two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff members. They were transporting two Bermuda nationals, identified as a patient and a family member.

Response and Ongoing Inquiries

Togeretz confirmed that the company contacted American authorities after the plane failed to land on the tarmac as scheduled. He noted that this marks the first instance where the operator has lost contact with one of its aircraft, adding that the team is holding onto optimism while praying for a safe resolution. Latitude Air Ambulance has reached out to Transport Canada regarding the incident. Meanwhile, provincial air ambulance provider Ornge expressed support via social media, stating it hopes the aircraft and everyone on board are located safely and quickly.

NATIONAL STORIES

Why Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Questions Mark Carney’s New Pipeline Stance

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes Mark Carney’s pipeline proposal, calling him an illusion and questioning his shift on oil and gas.

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Current Editor

Poilievre Dismisses Carney’s Fast-Track Pipeline Proposal

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed strong skepticism regarding Mark Carney, describing him as an “illusion” ahead of an upcoming major announcement. Poilievre questioned Carney’s recent backing of a proposal to fast-track and construct a West Coast pipeline project.

Contrasting Past Record with Recent Statements

Poilievre highlighted Carney’s history over the past decade, pointing out that the former banker worked to defund oil and gas, established an alliance aimed at shutting down the sector, opposed a Pacific pipeline, and advocated for higher carbon taxes.

“I don’t know how you can go in three years from believing oil and gas is going to end the world to believing you support oil and gas,” Poilievre stated. “I guess miracles are possible. He claims to have changed his mind but he hasn’t really changed the results. There’s been a lot of talk.”

Comparisons to Foreign Project Delivery

In assessing the situation, the Conservative leader observed that large-scale infrastructure projects are completed rapidly in nations like Germany and the United States.

NATIONAL STORIES

Michael J. Fox Earns Canada’s Highest Civilian Distinction for Parkinson’s Work

Michael J. Fox was elevated to companion of the Order of Canada alongside 50 other honourees, including UBC engineering professor Yusuf Altintas.

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Current Editor

National Honours Presented at Rideau Hall

During an investiture ceremony on Friday morning at Rideau Hall, Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour formally elevated celebrated actor and advocate Michael J. Fox to the companion level of the Order of Canada, drawing a standing ovation from attendees. Rideau Hall cited his unflinching honesty and powerful global advocacy concerning Parkinson’s disease for the elevation. Fox, who publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 1998, has helped generate $2.5 billion for research into the progressive nervous system disorder, which causes tremors, slowness, stiffness, memory difficulties, and depression.

Distinguished Inductees Recognized Across Fields

A total of 51 individuals joined or advanced within the Order of Canada during the Friday event. Arbour praised the group in French for directing their skills, influence, and effort toward the public good rather than personal gain alone, noting that Fox serves as a shining example of using courage, imagination, and determination to foster lasting progress.

The newly honoured members and officers include noteworthy figures across various disciplines. University of British Columbia mechanical engineering professor Yusuf Altintas was inducted as an officer alongside McGill University professor Nada Jabado, who was recognized for her contributions to pediatric neuro-oncology. Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz became an officer for his efforts supporting international trade and economic stability. Sculptor Ruth Elsie Abernethy entered as a member for her worldwide bronze statues exploring heritage, gender, and nation-building, while Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Susanne Craig was named a member for her impactful reporting across major American and Canadian news outlets.