“Northern Shield”: Ford and Smith Propose Oil Corridor from Alberta to Ontario

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have unveiled a preliminary route for a new oil pipeline that would connect Western Canadian crude with refining capacity in southern Ontario. The project has been named the Northern Shield Energy Corridor.

According to the proposal, the roughly 3,300-kilometre pipeline would run from Hardisty, Alberta, through Regina and Winnipeg to Sarnia, one of Ontario’s key petrochemical centres. In its initial phase, the pipeline would carry about 500,000 barrels per day, with a possible expansion to 800,000. Ford said Ontario uses about 400,000 barrels of oil daily, meaning additional volumes could strengthen the province’s energy security.

The project is still at the feasibility-study stage. Reuters reported that the study is expected by the end of the year, while no construction cost or private-sector operator has yet been identified.

The corridor idea grew out of agreements between Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan on energy and trade infrastructure. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has already backed the initiative, saying it could generate revenue for health care, education and public safety. Manitoba’s position remains less clear.

Sarnia was chosen for a reason: the region is home to major refining and petrochemical facilities, including operations run by Suncor, Imperial Oil and Shell. Suncor’s Sarnia refinery has a capacity of 85,000 barrels per day, Imperial processed about 113,000 barrels per day there in 2025, and Shell’s Sarnia Manufacturing Centre refines about 75,000 barrels per day.

Smith described new pipelines as a “national imperative,” while Ford called the project a chance to create jobs and strengthen the country. But the proposal still faces major questions: financing, environmental review, Indigenous consultation and approval from the provinces along the proposed route.