Canada approves $4 billion Enbridge pipeline expansion in British Columbia

Ottawa has approved a $4 billion expansion of Enbridge’s Westcoast gas system in British Columbia, a move that could reshape the flow of natural gas through one of North America’s most closely watched energy corridors. Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced the decision on April 24, 2026, saying the Sunrise Expansion Program was in the public interest and would help meet growing energy needs in British Columbia.

The project is designed to add up to 300 million cubic feet per day of transportation capacity along a route that runs from near Chetwynd in northeast B.C. to the Canada-U.S. border near Huntingdon/Sumas, close to Abbotsford. That makes it more than a provincial infrastructure project. It is a cross-border supply line that could affect how quickly Canadian gas reaches power generators, industrial users and LNG-linked demand, while also strengthening the flexibility of western Canada’s gas network.

Enbridge said the expansion is shovel-ready. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026, with a targeted in-service date in late 2028. The work includes about 137 to 139 kilometres of new 42-inch pipeline built in 11 looping segments, much of it alongside the existing Westcoast right-of-way, plus new compressor units at four existing compressor station sites. The Canada Energy Regulator had already recommended approval on Jan. 30, 2026, saying the project was in the public interest and that a certificate should be issued.

The numbers show why the project matters for producers and buyers alike. The new capacity would amount to roughly a 20% increase for the 1.6 billion cubic feet per day T-South system, while the broader Westcoast network can transport up to 3.6 billion cubic feet per day. Natural Resources Canada said the expansion would provide additional room to move gas where demand is strongest, a point that matters when markets are sensitive to disruptions, winter peaks and price swings. The project is also tied to power generation, industrial consumption and LNG exports, including supply for Woodfibre LNG.

The approval gives Enbridge and its western Canadian partners a major regulatory win at a time when energy security, export demand and climate commitments are colliding in public policy. It supports jobs and economic activity in British Columbia, but it also keeps the political pressure on large pipeline projects in place, especially where environmental and Indigenous-rights scrutiny remains part of the debate. For Canada’s gas sector, the decision signals that Ottawa is still willing to back major infrastructure when it sees a case for supply reliability and broader economic gains.