The proposed route for the Northern Shield Energy Corridor will end in Sarnia.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith unveiled the primary route for the proposed crude oil pipeline and energy corridor Monday in Calgary.
The 3,300 kilometre route under review is from Hardisty, Alberta to Sarnia.
In a news release from Ford's office, he said this historic nation-building project would be built exclusively through Canada to reduce the country's reliance on foreign markets, provide critical redundancy to existing infrastructure, bring additional capacity to refineries in Sarnia, strengthen national security and domestic supply chains and create new jobs for Canadian workers.
“Our plan to build the Northern Shield Energy Corridor is a plan to protect workers in Ontario, Alberta and every part of the country,” said Premier Ford. “We’re going to keep working to build a more secure, united and resilient Canadian economy, so we can keep Canadian workers on the job, make life more affordable for Canadian families and help get Canadian energy to new markets across the country and around the world.”
According to the news release, the proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor would move an estimated 500,000 barrels of oil per day for domestic use and export markets, with the potential of expanding up to 800,000 barrels per day.
“By connecting Alberta's energy with Canadian refineries and markets, we can create jobs, grow our economy and make better use of the world-class resources we already have,” said Premier Smith in the news release.
Ontario is now proceeding to define estimated costs and examine commercial models and related development opportunities for the energy corridor, including grid upgrades and potential strategic petroleum reserves.
The provincial government said it has also initiated its duty to consult with Indigenous partners and communities, while supporting Indigenous involvement in nation-building projects.
A feasibility study is already underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
