During the Calgary Stampede one year ago, Prime Minister Mark Carney said it was “highly, highly likely” his government would consider a proposed oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast to become a project of national interest.

That initial optimism could take a step forward Thursday, marking another key moment for the Alberta-Ottawa energy accord and the province’s pipeline ambitions.

Alberta had pledged to send its proposal to the federal Major Projects Office by Canada Day, allowing it to be considered for expedited approval as a nationally significant development.

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Earlier this week, the province said an announcement was expected on Thursday to provide long-awaited specifics about the initiative that aims to transport one million barrels per day of Alberta bitumen to the British Columbia Coast for export.

“I would say investments are riding on this, jobs, job certainty . . . We can’t just keep talking about energy being (Canada’s) superpower and not do something about it,” said Gurpreet Lail, CEO of Enserva, an industry group that represents energy services, supply and manufacturing firms.

“We still need to see tangible changes to make that happen.”

Industry leaders are watching several key issues tied to the energy accord including whether the proposed oil line would be built from Alberta to the northwest Pacific Coast, or south to the Port of Vancouver, and if private sector proponents take a stake in the venture.

Will it also come with an understanding between both levels of governments and the Oil Sands Alliance to build the Pathways........

© Calgary Herald