Trans Mountain CEO in conversation with McLellan: Canada on cusp of ‘something very important’
Coalition co-chair Hon. Anne McLellan leads a discussion with Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki at the Canada 2020 Getting Big Things Done conference, exploring Canada's infrastructure, Indigenous partnerships, and the future of the energy sector. PHOTO CREDIT: Canada 2020/Dave Chan
Canada is "on the cusp of something very important," says Trans Mountain Corporation CEO Mark Maki, who sat down with Coalition for a Better co-chair Anne McLellan at the Canada 2020 Getting Big Things Done conference in Ottawa on Sept. 30.
The conversation took place just two days before Ottawa designated a new West Coast oil pipeline, now called Pacific Link, a project of national interest. The federal government has tasked Trans Mountain with building the line in partnership with Alberta and Pembina Pipeline, which holds a 10 per cent stake.
When McLellan asked why there has been limited private-sector interest in owning a new West Coast pipeline, Maki acknowledged that private capital is still "tiptoeing," but said he can feel the interest: "Old familiar faces are back."
Maki told McLellan that his first task would be to engage with Indigenous communities and hear their concerns regarding the route, archeology, jobs, contracting, and other elements important to them.
“The Nations benefited from the last project, they will benefit from this one, and that's part of the really important engagement that has to happen,” said Maki.
He defended Ottawa's offer of a collective 15 per cent stake in Trans Mountain as "a meaningful amount of ownership" in critical infrastructure, comparable to other oil pipeline deals.
When McLellan asked whether he believes Trans Mountain should be sold, Maki suggested that Ottawa should adopt a "patient seller" approach. He said there is a strong case for Canadian taxpayers to retain ownership because of the revenue being generated. In 2025, Trans Mountain returned $1.7 billion to the government, and Maki said projections for 2026 could reach approximately $1.8 billion.
Currently, Trans Mountain is running at capacity, carrying 890,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta to British Columbia, where it’s then shipped to Asian countries and U.S. West Coast states.
PHOTO CREDIT: Canada 2020/Dave Chan
The event opened the evening before with a conversation featuring the Hon. Jean Charest, former Premier of Quebec, led by McLellan. During the discussion, Charest spoke about the global trade landscape and how Canada has an opportunity to strengthen its economy through trade diversification, defence investments, and scaling up companies.
