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Victoria city council has formally joined the opposition to a proposed West Coast oil pipeline, putting the municipality on record against a project that would transport Alberta crude to the B.C. coast.
The proposed pipeline, according to the federal government, will stretch approximately 1,250 kilometres and would have a capacity of up to one million barrels of oil per day. While the federal government along with other political parties both federally and provincially support the project as a vital economic engine of national interest, a majority of Victoria’s council argues the environmental risks to the coastline far outweigh the potential economic benefits.
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Mayor Marianne Alto confirmed the city is making a formal submission to the federal government as Ottawa weighs the project’s future.
“It’s actually a submission that will outline a variety of different points in opposition to the designation of this particular project as one of national interest,” Alto said.
Alto says the city has opposed and voiced their concerns on other major infrastructure projects that could have impacted Vancouver Island’s coastline since 2016.
### ‘The least we can do’
The move to make a submission to Ottawa was spearheaded by Coun. Susan Kim.
“This letter, frankly, is the least we can do, I believe, to stand up on behalf of Victoria residents, our coastal community, as well as the very precious, biodiverse ecosystems that we rely on,” Kim stated.
She added that she is proud the council took the time to debate the topic and represent its residents to signal that they “don’t agree in the direction this country is going with respect to climate change.”
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The motion from Councillor Kim asking council to consider the federal designation of the West Coast Pipeline
However, Kim was not entirely unified on the issue. Couns. Chris Coleman and Marg Gardiner both opposed submitting.
In a phone interview with CHEK News, Coleman says he understands the environmental impact argument and perspective from his fellow councillors. He added that the timing is not great, as Alberta is preparing for a referendum this fall about staying in Canada and it would be putting a stick in Alberta’s eye.
### ‘Stay in their lane’
The city’s submission to Ottawa is also drawing sharp criticism from Conservative North Island MP Aaron Gunn. Gunn argues the pipeline is supported by the vast majority of Canadians and is critical to national unity, particularly ahead of any potential Alberta independence referendum.
> I must have missed the part where the pipeline transits the city of Victoria, or where the constitution assigns the building of inter-provincial pipelines as a municipal responsibility. https://t.co/NpJCQXRlIG
>
> — Aaron Gunn (@AaronGunn) September 6, 2026
Gunn did not mince words when addressing the council’s decision to weigh in on federal energy infrastructure.
> “I don’t know if the mayor and council, when they leave Vancouver Island, are going by canoe or by kayak, but I’m pretty sure they rely on oil and gas. What I think is that they should stay in their lane and just focus on the many and real municipal concerns that I am sure the residents of Victoria have.” — _Aaron Gunn, Conservative North Island MP_
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_Video: North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn speaks on the importance of the proposed West Coast Pipeline and why he thinks municipalities should focus their attention elsewhere._
Mayor Alto pushed back against Gunn’s criticism, noting that the federal government’s call for submissions was left open to any organization, person, or municipality that wished to participate.
“Whether you think it’s in our lane or not, I think to a certain extent anything that has the potential for having a negative impact on the environment that we all treasure here on south Vancouver Island is something important to make a statement [about],” Alto responded.
Alto says the submission will be made public after it’s completed by the deadline of Sept. 18.
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_Video: Coun_._Kim expands on the need to think about our B.C. coast and the impact this pipeline could have on our ecosystem._
Despite the formal action, Kim admitted she does not expect a direct response from Ottawa. Kim says that, with ongoing significant climate events happening in our country, it was easy for her to make this motion to council and submit her and some councillors’ concerns to Ottawa.
Whether Victoria’s submission alongside those from other opposition groups, whether it will have any significant impact on the pipeline’s future remains to be seen.
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