Should Canada build a pipeline to the West or the East? [Video]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith went into the first ministers’ meeting calling for a commitment to an oil pipeline to the northern B.C. coast. Some Eastern Canadian premiers suggested they’re keen on an oil pipeline that would go across the country from west to east.

Neither exists yet. There’s no company proposing to build either. But even as concepts, they are very different. They would serve very different purposes.

One is driven primarily by economics and diversifying markets. The other is about Canada’s energy security.

Both are concerns kindled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.

But is the chief goal to sell oil to new overseas markets or to protect Canada’s domestic energy security?

There was no definitive answer on any pipeline route after Monday’s meeting in Saskatoon between the premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney.

But Mr. Carney indicated he would support a pipeline that delivers “de-carbonized” barrels – and hinted that a pipeline could go ahead if the Pathways Alliance project for carbon …