Majority of Canadians back proposed Alberta-to-B.C. pipeline; Bruderheim leaders hope for boost

A majority of Canadians support a proposed pipeline that would carry Alberta oil to the British Columbia coast, according to a new Angus Reid Institute survey, and residents of Bruderheim — the small town identified as the likely Alberta starting area — say the project could spur jobs and local expansion.

Public support and local expectations

The online poll found 63 per cent of respondents approve of the proposed West Coast line. The same survey reported 55 per cent support for a separate proposal to move Alberta oil east to Ontario. The West Coast project would begin in the Bruderheim area and extend to ports in Delta, B.C., though the exact starting point has not been finalised and the proposal would still need to clear regulatory and other hurdles before construction could begin.

Bruderheim Mayor Ron Ewasiuk told reporters the town is already surrounded by energy infrastructure — refineries, petrochemical plants and other pipelines — and he argued that makes the community a logical location for another major project. “Why not Bruderheim?” he said.

“I was so happy to hear that,” said longtime Bruderheim resident Chin “Michael” Kim after hearing the announcement. “We want to increase the population. We want more business.”

What local business owners say

Small-business owners in Bruderheim said development that brings workers and spending would be welcome. Shannon Schiller, owner of a local catering company, said the town struggles with being simultaneously too close to and too far from larger urban centres — effectively operating as a bedroom community. Any project that attracts residents, employees and commerce, she said, could provide an economic boost.

• Local population: Bruderheim is a community of about 1,400 people located northeast of Edmonton in Alberta's Industrial Heartland.
• Survey finding: 63% national approval for the West Coast pipeline proposal.
• Regulatory note: The project remains subject to unspecified regulatory and other approvals before construction could proceed.

Context and next steps

While public opinion appears favourable, the announcement does not mean immediate construction. Officials and proponents would need to settle precise routing, secure permits and meet environmental and Indigenous consultation requirements before work could begin. For Bruderheim, the prospect of increased industrial activity raises questions about local planning, services and housing alongside possible economic gains.

Residents and local leaders say they will watch the process closely as details emerge, balancing potential economic opportunity with the planning and regulatory steps that lie ahead.