On August 7, the Ontario government issued a request for proposals (RFP) to conduct a feasibility study exploring how best to establish a new economic and energy corridor. This corridor would include new Alberta-to-Ontario pipelines, bringing Western Canadian oil and gas to refineries in Southern Ontario and tidewater ports including a new deep-sea port on the coast of James Bay. These 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 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. Together, we're building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy."

New East-West pipelines would, if approved, help protect Canada's economy, workers and energy security by making it easier to transport oil and gas from Western Canada to Ontario and reduce Canada's reliance on the United States. Pipelines are the safest and most cost-effective way to transport critical fuels. As this and all energy and trade infrastructure projects move forward, Ontario will continue to honour and fulfil its duty to consult with Indigenous communities and to advance economic reconciliation.

"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, 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 also 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. Alberta is proud to partner with provinces that share our bold vision for a stronger, more self-reliant Canada."

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 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. This reserve would be an emergency stockpile of petroleum that the province can utilize in emergency situations to minimize service interruptions to the flow of oil.

"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."

This energy corridor stems from a recent Memorandum of Understanding among Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan which commits these 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.

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