[ad_1]
Infrastructure Ontario has issued an RFP to study the potential creation of a new energy corridor with refineries and a new deep-sea port linking Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario to export markets.
Photo: Akchamczuk / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
The Ontario government, through Infrastructure Ontario, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to conduct a feasibility study exploring the establishment of a new economic and energy corridor between Alberta and Ontario, with participation from those two provinces as well as Saskatchewan.
The corridor would include new pipelines allowing Western Canadian oil and gas to reach refineries in Southern Ontario and tidewater ports, as well as a proposed new deep-sea port on the coast of James Bay. The Ontario government says the new pipelines, built entirely within Canada using Ontario and Canadian steel, would help achieve energy security by ensuring ongoing access to Canadian oil and gas for Canadian homes and businesses while also creating good-paying jobs across the country.
“The last few months have shown that Canada can no longer rely on energy infrastructure that lies outside of our borders and can be shut down at a moment’s notice by another country,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “It’s time for us to build cross-Canada infrastructure within our borders so we can protect our energy security, find new markets for Canadian energy and resources and create new jobs and opportunities for Canadian workers.”
If approved, the new pipelines would make it easier to transport oil and gas from Western Canada to Ontario while also reducing Canada’s reliance on the United States.
“In the face of unprecedented tariffs from the United States and increasing geopolitical instability, Canadians must work together across governments to build the energy and trade infrastructure we need to unlock new markets domestically and protect jobs,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure. “Through our focus on new nation-building projects and partnerships, we are seizing a generational opportunity to bring sustainable prosperity to our northern communities and strengthen both Ontario and Canada’s economy.”
The feasibility study will explore the practicality and benefits of a new port outlet on James Bay, Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes, as well as consider the viability of a new or expanded refinery along the pipeline route. This expanded capacity would provide additional opportunities to export Canadian energy outside the country, while creating new jobs and opportunities for Canadian workers in the petroleum refining sector.
“This is a defining moment for our country,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “By advancing a Canadian energy corridor from Alberta to Ontario, we are securing long-term energy access for families and businesses, creating thousands of jobs, and opening new doors for trade and investment while strengthening our position as a global energy leader. This corridor will help get Alberta’s responsibly produced energy to markets across Canada and around the world.”
The feasibility study will also consider the financial and commercial tools necessary to derisk a pipeline project, provide strategies to achieve Indigenous equity participation and consider the benefits of establishing a Canadian Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Canada is one of the few International Energy Agency member states that does not maintain a federally administered strategic petroleum reserve, which the project participants say leaves Canadian homes and businesses exposed and vulnerable to cross-border pipelines disputes, extreme weather disruptions, geopolitical supply shocks and other disruptions in energy supply.
“Saskatchewan exports 70 per cent of all we produce, and so having access to international markets is essential to the health of our economy along with contributing to global food and energy security,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “By advancing important projects such as pipelines, rail connections and critical-mineral processing capacity, we are safeguarding thousands of jobs, strengthening our energy security and fostering sustainable growth.”
The energy corridor proposal stems from a recent Memorandum of Understanding among Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan that commits the provinces to identify areas of future collaboration that would protect Canadian workers, including new energy and trade infrastructure, and to continued cooperation in advancing the development of nuclear energy to meet growing energy needs.