Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan want to study feasibility of west-east pipeline

Premiers say a pipeline would connect western oil and gas to Ontario ports, refineries, boost self-reliance.

The government of Ontario, working with Alberta and Saskatchewan, wants to explore the feasibility of a new west-east pipeline to bring western oil and gas to southern Ontario refineries and ports.

Ontario issued a request for proposals to conduct a study “exploring options for establishing a new economic and energy corridor” between the provinces, according to a government news release Thursday. 

“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,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in the news release. “This corridor will help get Alberta’s responsibly produced energy to markets across Canada and around the world.”

U.S. tariffs prompt pipeline talks

U.S. tariff threats this year have revived discussions around expanding Canada’s pipeline capacity in order to make the country’s oil and gas industry — which is closely tied to the U.S. market — more self-reliant.

In February, then-Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told reporters that Canada’s energy infrastructure was vulnerable to potential U.S. tariffs, and the country should weigh building a new west-east pipeline.

Public opinion around pipelines remains divided in Canada, despite some increased support in light of U.S. tariff threats, according to an online Angus Reid survey of Canadians in January. Support for Energy East, the west-to-east pipeline proposal that was cancelled in 2017, increased from 58 to 65 per cent since 2019, the poll suggested.

But criticism persists about expanding pipeline capacity as Canada is committed to reducing emissions and transitioning away from oil and gas energy in the midst of a climate crisis.