Calgary's AltaGas Prepares for BC Port Strike: Implications for Alberta's Energy Exports
AltaGas Activates Contingency Amid BC Strike
Calgary-based energy infrastructure giant AltaGas Ltd. (TSX: ALA) announced on November 25, 2025, the activation of its contingency plan to maintain steady operations at its Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET). This proactive measure comes as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 523B, representing RIPET union employees, initiated a strike action planned for November 27, 2025.
Safeguarding Critical Export Operations
RIPET, Canada's first propane export facility, is a cornerstone of AltaGas's diversified Midstream business, critical for connecting Canadian propane production—much of it originating from Alberta—to high-value global markets in Asia. AltaGas assures that an alternate workforce is in place, expecting to maintain materially consistent export operations. The company anticipates minimal financial impact and has reiterated its 2025 full-year guidance.
Alberta's Stake in Distant Labour Disputes
Though geographically distant in British Columbia, this labour dispute at an AltaGas-operated facility carries significant implications for Calgary and Alberta. The stability of RIPET is crucial for Alberta's enduring strategy of market diversification, reducing reliance on the U.S. market, and accessing burgeoning Asian demand. Any perceived instability in Canada's export infrastructure could affect investor confidence in Calgary's energy firms and future provincial resource development.
Protecting Energy Supply Chains
The Alberta government, under Premier Danielle Smith, maintains a keen interest in disputes affecting vital energy supply chains. Alberta’s 2020 Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (Bill 1) and past willingness to intervene in critical service labour disputes underscore the province's firm stance on safeguarding economic arteries and ensuring the continuous flow of Alberta's energy resources to global markets.
