Up to 140,000 Jobs Projected as Canada Fast-Tracks the Pacific Link Pipeline, With Construction Possible From September 2027

Canada has listed the West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, as a project of national interest, and the backers of the line project it will create up to 140,000 jobs in Alberta, British Columbia and across Canada. That figure is a projection for a pipeline that has not been built, and no construction has started. Early work construction may start as early as September 1, 2027, once Indigenous consultation is complete and all approvals and permits are in place. For Metaintro readers who weld, fit pipe or recruit for big projects, the useful questions are what is actually being built, who is hiring now, which trades the last big West Coast line relied on, and how long it takes to qualify. This guide answers each from the government, company and trade-training pages behind the announcement.

What Did Canada Decide About Pacific Link on Oct. 1?

Prime Minister Mark Carney made the listing official in Fort McMurray on Oct. 1. Pacific Link is the first project of national interest under the Building Canada Act, and it now sits on Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act. Listing lets the project go through a single federal regulatory review process that will feed into a conditions document.

Over three months, the Major Projects Office consulted with more than 130 Indigenous communities near or along potential routes in Alberta and British Columbia, along with federal departments and the B.C. government. The office reviewed the plan after Alberta's referral on July 2, 2026.

Canada and Alberta will share equal ownership of Pacific Link, and Indigenous communities will be offered a minimum of 10% ownership interest, financed through the two governments' Indigenous loan guarantee programs. Pembina Pipeline Corporation will hold a 10% economic interest through construction, with the opportunity for up to an additional 10% once the line enters commercial operation. Trans Mountain Corporation and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission will own equal shares of the balance. Ottawa is also working to create Indigenous contracts and employment opportunities during the project.

What Exactly Would Be Built Between Bruderheim and the Coast?

The line would carry one million barrels a day of Canadian crude from Bruderheim, Alberta to a deepwater port near Delta, where oil would be loaded onto ships. Its main parts are:

• a receipt tank terminal in Bruderheim where oil is received, measured, stored and pumped
• a pipeline up to approximately 1250 km in length
• approximately 11 pump stations to keep the oil moving at the required flow rate and pressure
• power interconnection, transmission, and possible generation
• a delivery tanks terminal and offshore marine loading facility able to take Very Large Crude Carrier vessels

The precise route remains to be determined, and Alberta's major-projects listing shows two main routing options, the Original Corridor and the Optimized Corridor. Both generally follow the existing Trans Mountain system, particularly between Wabamun, Alberta, and Hope, BC. Municipalities on the Alberta side include Bruderheim, Parkland County, Yellowhead County and Jasper.

At the coast, the line ends at the Roberts Bank Port in Delta, B.C., where the federal government is investing $10 billion in expansion. The southern route protects British Columbia's North Coast and avoids the Great Bear Sea, the federal government says, while opponents point to toxic spill hazards threatening coastal ecosystems and endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

Where Does the 140,000 Jobs Figure Come From, and What Does It Count?

The wording of the figure varies between the line's backers, with 140,000 jobs across the country in Ottawa's release and up to 140,000 in the proponents' joint release. The line may attract $200 billion in direct investments and create 140,000 new jobs, in Alberta's major-projects listing. This article uses the hedged wording, up to 140,000, because that is how the project's own release frames it.

Proponents said the project would create up to 140,000 jobs at peak construction and support 50,000 permanent positions during operations. Premier Danielle Smith said it could create up to 140,000 jobs during construction, as well as another 50,000 annual jobs when complete. The Alberta government expects about 50,000 ongoing jobs a year in production, maintenance and trade.

None of this is a count of job postings. It is a projection made before the final concept, route mapping and cost estimates are done. For comparison, Trans Mountain and its contractors hired 35,330 workers, of whom 3,600 are Indigenous people for the last large West Coast line by April 2024, with 8,600 people working on the project as of Feb. 29 in 2024. That is a count of people actually hired on one project, not a projection.

When Could Construction Actually Start?

Potential construction may commence as early as September 1, 2027, provided that duty to consult with Indigenous communities obligations have been met and the federal conditions document has been given. Over the next year, the MPO, supported by the Canada Energy Regulator, will lead the federal review and consult on conditions covering ownership, benefits, Indigenous rights, environmental protections, and local hiring and oversight.

The MPO will work to finalise those conditions by September 1, 2027, clearing the way to get shovels in the ground, according to the Prime Minister's release.

The review process will include Indigenous consultation, environmental assessment and public hearings, and the conditions document is due by September 1, 2027, following which construction can begin.

Over the next year, project proponents will develop a final concept covering community consultations, route mapping, ecological surveys, cost estimates, procurement, and workforce planning. The project is projected to cost about $4 billion from now until next September, and a government official said those costs will be paid initially by the Canadian and Alberta governments, The Canadian Press reported. Alberta's major-projects listing shows completion by 2032 at an estimated cost of $43.7B, and CP24 reports the cost is estimated between $35.2 billion and $43.7 billion.

Who Will Build Pacific Link, and Who Is Hiring for It Now?

Trans Mountain will develop, construct and operate the pipeline on behalf of the project's backers, and Pembina contributes development and execution expertise. Trans Mountain already runs a dual pipeline system that moves approximately 890,000 barrels of petroleum products each day through more than 1,150 kilometres of pipeline in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington state.

On Trans Mountain's current careers board, the postings that name the project are recruiter roles, including a Manager, Talent Acquisition role for the West Coast Oil Pipeline Project in Calgary, dated Sep 15, 2026.

this role is responsible for leading the WCOP recruitment team and delivering the talent acquisition strategies, hiring plans, sourcing programs, and recruitment execution required to support workforce ramp-up, project delivery, and business objectives, according to the Trans Mountain job posting.

The same manager will oversee high-volume, specialized, time-sensitive, Indigenous, and contingent workforce recruitment. A second posting, for a Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor on the West Coast Oil Pipeline Project, lists two positions and covers the volume hiring of permanent and contract positions across multiple locations in Alberta and British Columbia. Its requirements include:

• a minimum of seven years of full-cycle recruitment experience, with experience in recruitment for major projects as an asset
• a post-secondary degree or diploma in Human Resources, Business, or related field, which is preferred
• a proven track record of having delivered on a large volume of recruiting within stringent timelines
• familiarity with sourcing tools, including a recruiter sourcing tool and Boolean search, which is required

The board also carries Senior HR Business Partner, Major Projects roles in Edmonton, Burnaby, Kamloops and Calgary, though those postings do not name the West Coast Oil Pipeline Project in their titles. Applicants to the advisor job can apply in English or French. For the manager role, priority will be given to qualified candidates from Indigenous, local and regional communities along the Trans Mountain pipeline corridor, and the advisor posting carries the same priority.

Which Trades Did the Last Big West Coast Pipeline Rely On?

The Trans Mountain Expansion was built by the same Crown company that will develop, construct and operate Pacific Link. That job meant installing 980 kilometres of 36-inch and 42-inch diameter pipe, reactivating 193 kilometres of pipe and building 12 new pump stations, 19 new storage tanks and three new berths.

One contractor on that build, Michels Canada, worked with unionized operating engineers, labourers, plumbers, pipefitters and teamsters. Other firms on the job included Surerus Murphy Joint Venture, Kiewit Bonatti Trans Mountain Partnership and SA Energy.

Indigenous businesses received $4.8 billion in contracts, which is 25 per cent of total contracts awarded at that point. The same project saw labour costs escalate due to workforce shortages and an increase in green-hand labourers.

Ottawa bought the project from Kinder Morgan Canada in 2018 for $4.5 billion, and Trans Mountain later pegged the price at $30.9 billion. The cost overruns resulted from inflation and supply chain pressures, construction solutions for the Burnaby Mountain Tunnel and flooding remediation, among other problems.

How Do You Become a Pipefitter or Welder in Alberta?

Both steamfitter-pipefitter and welder are provincially regulated trades in Alberta, each with a multi-year apprenticeship. To work in Alberta, a steamfitter-pipefitter must be a registered apprentice, an Alberta-certified journeyperson, or someone who holds a recognized related trade certificate. Steamfitter-pipefitters are employed by pipeline construction contractors and sub-contractors, among others.

For the pipefitter route on the alis careers site:

• The term of apprenticeship is 4 years, with a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
• Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them to register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
• Entry needs an Alberta high school transcript with at least English Language Arts 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science 10, or equivalent, a pass in all five GED tests, or an entrance exam.
• Applicants with related training or work experience may get credits, and credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
• In the final period, apprentices may take the interprovincial exam to earn a Red Seal, which is recognized in most parts of Canada.

The welder apprenticeship is 3 years, with a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year, and welders are employed in industries including pipeline construction. Before picking a route, welders can compare pay in Welder Salary and How to Earn More.

Construction contractors may require employees to live in rented accommodation or at a company on-site camp, so travel is common.

What Is the Job Market for Pipefitters and Welders in Alberta?

The employment outlook for steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers in Alberta is Moderate for the 2025-2027 period, in a Job Bank outlook that was updated on December 10, 2025. The reasons given are that employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions, not many positions will open through retirements, and several unemployed workers have recent experience.

That federal rating differs from Alberta's own, as the alis profiles give both trades a three-year forecast of Hot, for steamfitter-pipefitters and for welders, based on the 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast.

About 6,600 people work in this occupation in Alberta, and 51% of them work in construction. 69% work only part of the year, compared with 39% across all occupations. Most of the trade is credentialed, as 72% hold an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma.

What Do Critics and Supporters Say About Pacific Link?

The listing drew swift criticism from political opponents and environmental groups. Critics say Pacific Link and LNG Canada's $33 billion export terminal will drive up greenhouse gas emissions, and fear environmental and labour laws are being weakened to attract foreign investors and speed up approvals. NDP Leader Avi Lewis condemned the decision, saying it sweeps aside environmental protections, meaningful Indigenous consultation and workers' right to strike, and he called it a pipeline to the courts.

Private pipeline companies have declined to take an ownership stake because the potential return does not offset the likely project pitfalls, Sven Biggs of Stand.earth said. Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a private sector investor in the project, and its economic interest through construction will be 10%.

The project's economics hinge on strict control of capital costs, and the price tag excludes escalation and financing, RBC said. If developers avoid the cost overruns of the Trans Mountain Expansion and load crude carriers directly at the terminal, the line could narrow the WCS price discount against West Texas Intermediate by up to US$3 per barrel, a $5 billion yearly boon to domestic producers, RBC said.

Yrjö Koskinen of the Institute for Sustainable Finance suggested delaying a final investment decision until late 2028 or early 2029, calling the listing an option to build rather than a firm commitment. His institute's research also found that markets reacted warmly to earlier milestones, creating $34 billion in abnormal shareholder gains.

Supporters point to revenue and partnership. Premier Danielle Smith said provincial treasury board estimates calculate the pipeline could yield more than $265 billion in cumulative royalty revenues for Alberta over its 50-year operating life. Support also came from the Alberta opposition, as Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi said his party had been advocating for a southern-route pipeline and was pleased to see the project move forward. Indigenous participation and partnership are central to the project, Alberta's government says, and the province has put just over $18 million into early planning work. Ottawa's support is strictly contingent on advancing the companion Pathways carbon capture project, which is now expected to cost more than twice its original estimate.

What This Means for Job Seekers, and What Should You Do Next?

No construction has started, and the project's figure is up to 140,000 jobs for a line whose route remains to be determined. What exists today are recruiter postings on Trans Mountain's careers board, a federal review, and trade training that takes 4 years for pipefitters and 3 years for welders in Alberta, with credits that may reduce the period.

If you already hold a ticket, the last West Coast build hired through contractors such as Michels Canada and SA Energy. If you recruit, the postings that name the pipeline so far are talent acquisition roles. Trades workers weighing more than one big build can also read Nuclear Construction Hiring Wave for another sector's apprenticeship push.

Here is what we would do:

• Check the Trans Mountain board. Watch Trans Mountain's careers page for roles that name the West Coast Oil Pipeline Project, since those postings name the project directly.
• Start or finish an apprenticeship. Pipefitters train for 4 years and welders for 3 years in Alberta.
• Aim for the Red Seal. Passing the interprovincial exam earns a Red Seal, a certification recognized in most parts of Canada.
• Follow the review. The conditions for the project will cover local hiring and oversight, and the CER will hold public hearings during the review.
• Look at the operating jobs too. The Alberta government expects about 50,000 ongoing jobs a year in production, maintenance and trade.

Related Articles

• Data Center Boom Has Employers Paying Off Student Loans to Land Electricians and Welders
• Canada's New Submarine Deal Could Anchor Thousands of Shipbuilding Jobs
• Google, Ford and BlackRock Bet Big on Skilled Trades Jobs
• Canada's Job Market Reality Check
• Plumber Salary and How to Earn More
• How to Become an Electrician and What the Apprenticeship Involves
• Surge in Energy Construction Jobs Paves Way for Future Growth
• The Impact of a Trump Presidency on Oil and Gas Hiring in America
• Canada Bets Big on AI to Counter US Pressure, the Jobs Strategy Behind It

People Also Asked

Q: How many jobs will the Pacific Link pipeline create?

A: The project's backers project up to 140,000 jobs in Alberta, British Columbia and across Canada, and Alberta expects about 50,000 ongoing jobs a year in production, maintenance and trade once it runs. These are projections, not open vacancies.

Q: When will construction on Pacific Link start?

A: Construction could start as early as September 1, 2027, once Indigenous consultation is complete and all approvals and permits are in place. Until then the project is in a federal review led by the Major Projects Office, supported by the Canada Energy Regulator.

Q: Who is hiring for Pacific Link right now?

A: Trans Mountain, which will develop, construct and operate the pipeline, has posted talent acquisition roles for the West Coast Oil Pipeline Project in Calgary. Construction itself could start as early as September 1, 2027.

Ready to explore? Metaintro brings together 50M jobs in one place. Create a free profile and start your search today.