A proposed route for a new oil pipeline between Alberta and Ontario has been identified.
The Northern Shield Energy Corridor is a 3,300-kilometre line that would bring oil to refineries in Sarnia.
The Premiers of Alberta and Ontario signed a memorandum of understanding last year to explore the project.
They’ve now agreed to proceed with a feasibility study to be completed by the end of the year.
“The Northern Shield Energy Corridor would move an estimated half a million barrels of oil per day with the ability to expand to 800,000 barrels per day, bringing new capacity to Ontario refineries and delivering critical redundancy for existing pipelines, while creating good-paying jobs for Canadian workers along the entire road,” says Ford.
The exact costs could potentially run into the billions of dollars.
Ford does not rule out the possibility of it being built with government funding.
“We’ll reach out to the private sector, but we won’t hesitate to do what the government in Canada and Alberta is doing,” says Ford.
“So, let’s take a look at all options, and once we have an answer, we will have this done by the end of the year.”
Ontario is also looking at the potential of expanding the line to other locations.
Ford says he would support an expansion to Quebec and the Maritimes at some point.
“I think that would be absolutely beautiful,” says Ford.
“It would be beautiful for East Coast provinces and would be beautiful for the people of Quebec as well. But that’s up to them. I’m going to focus on Ontario and building this pipeline to Ontario, and then it’s up to the elected officials east of Ontario to make that decision.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a smaller line running through southern Ontario is now used to move oil to Quebec.
She says the new line could expand on those shipments.
“This is an opportunity for us to support Quebec with existing infrastructure, and we’ll be looking at seeing whether or not those ships can make it up and over and go to Eastern Canada to feed those refineries and whether we’d be able to go on to Europe,” says Smith
“I think that regardless of whether we get additional pipeline built, we do have access now, and with additional, we’d be able to increase our exports to Quebec and Eastern Canada.
No date for construction has been identified.
