Energy and alcohol are central to new agreements signed by the Premiers of Ontario and Alberta.
Doug Ford and Alberta’s Danielle Smith signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that support building new pipelines, rail lines and other energy and trade infrastructure to help unlock new markets for Ontario’s critical minerals and Western Canada’s oil and gas.
Ford says it is time for Canada to be self-reliant.
“We have to start diversifying our trade right across the world,” says Ford.
“People would love great Alberta oil, love products, critical minerals from Ontario. That’s what (we need to do), start doing and stopping relying on our neighbours to the south because there’s uncertainty right now and it’s hurting our country.”
The Premiers have agreed to launch a feasibility study that will look at potential routes and costs.
A second agreement opens the door for more Alberta-made alcohol to be sold in Ontario.
The Premiers are also advocating for a federal regulatory environment that encourages private-sector investments in new energy and trade infrastructure projects, including the development of small-modular and large-scale nuclear energy reactors, which help support the growing need for electricity.
