Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is demanding provincial NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi formally cut ties with the federal NDP after Avi Lewis came out against the newly designated Pacific Link pipeline.
The federal NDP leader condemned Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision Thursday to designate the Alberta-to-B.C. pipeline as a project of national interest, arguing Canadians would bear its financial and environmental risks.
“This project leaves Canadians bearing all the risks of a bad investment without any of the rewards,” Lewis said.
“This is a pipeline to the courts, and it’s not worth the risk.”
Lewis’s opposition is not new. When Carney and Smith unveiled the proposal in July, the federal NDP said it “unequivocally” opposed the pipeline, citing taxpayer, Indigenous consultation and environmental concerns.
Smith seized on Thursday’s opposition to turn the fight toward Nenshi.
“They oppose Alberta’s Pacific Link pipeline, and they will do everything in their power to kill it,” Smith said.
“This would kill 140,000 jobs. Stop tens of billions in new wealth for Albertans to build things like hospitals and schools. Lost jobs and lower paycheques for Alberta families.”
The 140,000 figure is Ottawa’s projection of jobs the proposed pipeline would create, rather than existing jobs that would disappear if it does not proceed.
Smith then challenged Nenshi to formally sever the Alberta NDP’s ties with its federal counterpart.
“Cut ties with his boss, Avi Lewis, and the federal NDP. Officially, formally, in writing today,” Smith said. “A clean break, right down to the name of their party.”
“Not doing so tells Albertans all they need to know about where the NDP stands on Alberta energy … which is ‘leave it in the ground.’”
The Alberta NDP is separately registered as a provincial party, but its constitution states that it “shall constitute a section of the New Democratic Party of Canada.”
Smith’s description of Lewis as Nenshi’s “boss”, however, is mostly political rhetoric. Nenshi leads the provincial party, while Lewis leads the federal NDP.
The Alberta NDP has presented its own energy policy as supporting a “strong energy future” that creates jobs and positions Alberta for long-term economic success.
The clash comes as Carney and Smith celebrate a major milestone for Pacific Link.
As part of their broader energy pact, Carney is fast-tracking the project after Ottawa designated it as being in Canada’s national interest.
The proposed pipeline would carry more than one million barrels of oil per day from Alberta to B.C.’s south coast, largely following the Trans Mountain corridor.
Ottawa estimates Pacific Link will cost between $35.2 billion and $43.7 billion. Canada and Alberta will share equal ownership, Pembina Pipeline Corporation will participate as a private investor, and Indigenous communities will be offered at least a 10% ownership stake backed by government loan guarantees.
Ottawa projects the pipeline could generate more than $20 billion in annual GDP and create up to 140,000 jobs, with broader economic benefits potentially reaching $30 billion annually.
But national interest status is not final project approval.
Engineering, environmental reviews and Indigenous consultations must continue. Ottawa aims to finalize the project’s conditions by September 1, 2027, with operations targeted for 2032–33.
The designation marks another major step in Carney’s broader energy pact with Smith, which the Alberta premier says has already secured federal concessions on the oil and gas emissions cap, clean electricity regulations, zero-emission vehicle mandate and Competition Act “greenwashing” provisions.
“This is a monumental day for our province and for our country,” Smith said.
Lewis, however, argues Canada should prioritize renewable energy, public transit and non-market housing instead of Pacific Link.
His opposition has put the longstanding organizational relationship between the federal and Alberta New Democrats back under scrutiny as Smith pressures Nenshi to make a formal break.
It doesn't really matter. Carney will never let a pipeline be built.
Better he moves to Ottawa anyway, it is the center of corruption.