Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have announced a new proposal for the Northern Shield Energy Corridor, a 3,300-kilometre pipeline transporting Alberta oil to southern Ontario refineries.The initiative aims to refine Alberta oil domestically, bypassing U.S.transit, with projected daily capacity of 500,000 to 800,000 barrels.The corridor would also transport critical minerals mined in Ontario westward.

This follows a 2025 memorandum of understanding between Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan to develop the project, which would pass through Regina, Winnipeg, and near Toronto.However, no cost details or construction timelines were disclosed.

Critics argue the proposal prioritizes strategic security over economic viability, citing the previous Energy East pipeline's cancellation in 2017 due to opposition and regulatory challenges.The plan highlights interprovincial cooperation but faces scrutiny over its feasibility and long-term economic impact.