Stories

Join the public feedback period on the West Coast Pipeline

August 2026

Until September 18, the Canadian government wants to hear from you about whether or not the proposed West Coast pipeline should be designated a Project of National Interest. This guide walks you through how to participate in this important process to protect the people and places you love.

This public feedback period is our opportunity to tell the federal government what is at stake and what kind of future we want to build (Photo by Canva).

What’s at stake

This is our opportunity to tell the federal government what is at stake and what kind of future we want to build.

This proposed, mainly taxpayer-funded, pipeline to B.C.’s south coast will make us more reliant on the United States while hurting our wallets, health and environment. A new pipeline would enable more fossil fuel pollution, which overheats our planet and makes wildfires, droughts and floods more dangerous for our communities. Plus, increasing oil tanker traffic through the Salish Sea puts endangered Southern Resident orcas at risk of extinction. Foreign-owned (mainly American) oil companies would benefit, while Canadian communities and taxpayers carry the environmental and financial risks.

Making this risky pipeline a Project of National Interest would give it greater federal priority and could help fast-track a major polluting project through B.C. But there’s something you can do about it.

What’s the solution?

We need investments that grow our economy without sacrificing our communities and the environment. Thankfully, solutions exist that tick all these boxes.

Instead of subsidizing another pipeline, Canada can invest in affordable clean electricity, renewable energy, heat pumps, energy-efficient buildings, public transit and clean manufacturing. These investments can lower energy costs, create lasting jobs and protect the places we love.

Please take a few minutes to participate in the consultation. Tell the federal government not to designate this pipeline a Project of National Interest—and to make clean energy and healthy communities the national priority instead. Make sure to submit your comments by the September 18 deadline!

How to submit your feedback

Step 1: Who to email

Submit your comments to the public consultation by e-mailing them to WCOPComment-CommentaireOCO@mpo-bgp.gc.ca.

CC in Premier Eby (Premier@gov.bc.ca) and your MLA (you can find your MLA’s contact info here) to let them know your opinion on the matter.
BCC us in at social@sierraclub.bc.ca so we can track the number of comments being submitted.

We need investments that grow our economy without sacrificing our communities and the environment. Thankfully, solutions like investing in clean energy ticks all these boxes (Photo by Los Muertos Crew).

Step 2: Write your email

Not sure what to say? Here are a few points you can use in your own words.

1. Start with the decision

I am asking the federal government not to designate this proposed pipeline a Project of National Interest because…
I do not believe this project meets the public interest test because…

2. Make it personal

I live in [community], and I am concerned about…
The future I want for my community is…
I care about the Salish Sea because…
I want future generations to inherit…

3. Talk about how unfair it is

It’s not fair that taxpayers are on the hook for $40 billion to finance a risky pipeline, especially when billionaire oil companies think it’s a bad investment…
This will hurt the wallets of Canadians right now. Taxpayers are spending billions each year putting out fires and building back destroyed infrastructure, instead of addressing the root cause of our overheating planet: fossil fuel pollution…

4. Talk about climate and communities

At a time when we need to reduce climate pollution, making this pipeline a national priority would…

5. Talk about the Salish Sea and endangered orcas

I am concerned about the additional oil tanker traffic this project could bring through the Salish Sea…
Southern Resident orcas are endangered, and I do not believe increasing underwater noise and spill risk in their critical habitat is in the national interest…

6. Offer a better definition of the national interest

If a project is going to be called a Project of National Interest, it should…
Canada’s national interest would be better served by investing in…

Step 3: Hit send!

Thanks so much for speaking up! If you’d like support with writing your submission, contact our Climate Campaigner David Farrell at davidf@sierraclub.bc.ca.

Make sure to submit your comments by the September 18 deadline.

We’re here to help!

We know it can feel intimidating to participate in these public feedback periods. That’s why we’re here to help. If you’d like support in joining this consultation process or have any questions, we’d love to chat with you. Contact our Climate Campaigner David Farrell at davidf@sierraclub.bc.ca

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