Hub Podcasts Does the Alberta-Ottawa MOU bring us any closer to a pipeline?
Nov 27, 2025
Rory Johnston, an oil markets analyst and author of Commodity Context, joins Grant Sprague, a former Alberta deputy energy minister and energy-sector lawyer. They dive into the recent Alberta-Ottawa MOU, debating its implications for a new pipeline. Topics include the challenges of private financing, the interconnectedness of the pipeline with carbon capture projects, and the potential economic impacts. They also discuss regulatory hurdles, Indigenous consent, and the need for clear commitments to ensure the project's viability, all while highlighting evolving Ottawa-Alberta relations.
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Thaw In Alberta–Ottawa Relations
- The MOU signals a thaw in Alberta–Ottawa relations and clearer federal support for a West Coast bitumen pipeline.
- Rory Johnston and Grant Sprague both stress this is a conditional step, not a pipeline approval.
Direct Major Projects Office Referral
- The MOU routes any proposal directly to the Major Projects Office, suggesting faster review but leaving many process details unresolved.
- Grant warns the MPO path requires significant finessing because there is no defined project, route, or performance yet.
Million-Barrel Target vs Existing Expansions
- The MOU references a one-million-barrel-a-day target, but existing proposed expansions already approach that scale.
- Rory cautions private proponents will require shipping commitments and clear tolls before committing.