SASKATOON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed optimism Monday about the prospect of constructing a new bitumen pipeline, linking it to the need for significant federal policy reforms to boost investor confidence.Speaking to the media at the First Ministers meeting in Saskatoon, Smith said, "I think that there seems to be an appetite to talk about getting pipelines built."However, Smith emphasized that attracting private investment hinges on addressing what she termed "nine terrible policies" of the Trudeau government that have previously undermined project proponents. "The problem is, unless we address the nine terrible policies that have damaged investor confidence, we're not going to get the proponents coming forward with major investments," said Smith..Smith outlined her "two-track process" for moving forward. "Let's get the commitment that we are going to build a new pipeline, and then I'll have to work with the prime minister to make sure that we can repeal or significantly amend the policies,” said Smith.Smith’s energy corridor connecting northern British Columbia and Churchill, Manitoba, is a "good first step." Smith pointed out the importance of changing the investment environment to avoid situations like the federal government's intervention with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which occurred because "there were no proponents willing to take forward Transmountain."."If we're going to continue to build pipelines, we have to change the environment," said Smith.Highlighting collaborative efforts, Smith pointed to discussions among Western leaders. "Our West to East proposal was from the Northwest BC Coast, probably Prince Rupert, to Hudson Bay, which is Churchill," said Smith. Smith sees this route, potentially utilizing icebreakers, as a way to supply East Coast Canadian refineries and access European markets."I’ve got to work with where I think we're going to have the most success," said Smith. "And where I think we'll have the most success right now is working on a corridor between Hudson Bay and Port Prince Rupert. And I hope that we can get some common ground on that."
