Hub Podcasts Alberta may gain a pipeline—but what would it lose?
Oct 8, 2025
Sean Speer, a public policy commentator and co-founder of The Hub, dives into the potential implications of Alberta’s new pipeline proposal. He discusses how this public-private partnership might trade pipeline access for federal subsidies in carbon capture technology. Speer warns about the risks of relying on unproven tech, arguing that it could increase public debt and erode Alberta's culture of enterprise. The conversation also touches on the shift from market-driven projects to political deals that could compromise economic independence.
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Government Steps In For Pipelines
- Alberta's government is stepping in to build a pipeline after private firms withdrew due to regulatory hurdles.
- This shift signals a move from market-led projects to politically driven infrastructure decisions.
Policy Changes Removed Market Signals
- Federal policies like an emissions cap and tanker ban have removed market signals that justified private pipeline investment.
- As a result, projects now require government underwriting rather than pure economic merit.
Risk Of Long-Term Subsidies
- Committing to subsidize unproven carbon capture would lock governments into long-term fiscal obligations.
- That could mean tens of billions in debt-financed spending to de-risk technology that may not work at scale.