March 3, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says escalating conflict in Iran underscores the urgency of building a new pipeline to connect Alberta’s oil reserves to Canada’s West Coast.
Speaking Monday at a news conference in Lethbridge, Smith pointed to rising global oil prices following American-Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend. She said the threat of shipping disruptions — particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — highlights the need for secure and stable energy supply routes.
Any disruption in the strategic waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, Smith argued, demonstrates why Canada and its trading partners require dependable sources of oil.
“We want the conflict to end quickly with minimal loss of life. I think that’s what we should all be hoping for, and we’re watching with interest about what our friends and allies are going to need,” Smith said.
The United Conservative premier added that expanding the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, which carries Alberta bitumen to the West Coast, would provide what she described as a “clear line of sight” for Asian markets seeking reliable supply.
“We’re here to help. But part of the way in which we can help is, of course, with expansions to the West Coast pipelines,” she said.
The ongoing conflict could also carry political implications at home. Oil prices have historically played a significant role in shaping Alberta’s fiscal outlook, and sustained volatility could impact the province’s budget and Smith’s political standing.
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