Pipeline plan proposes path through southern Manitoba

Manitoba's premier is responding to a proposed pipeline running from Alberta to Ottawa. Jeff Keele reports.

A proposed pipeline from Alberta to Ontario may go right through Winnipeg.

Premiers Danielle Smith and Doug Ford announced a corridor for a west-to-east project.

“The Northern Shield Energy Corridor is a critical next step in building a more united, more prosperous, and more resilient Canada,” said Ford.

Starting in Alberta, the 3,300 km pipeline would run through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A map shows a line crossing Winnipeg. It would end in Sarnia, Ont., in that province’s refinery belt. The pipeline would carry 500,000 barrels a day and could expand to 800,000.

“This project will make Canada stronger by connecting Alberta’s energy with Canadian refineries and European markets. We can create jobs, grow our economy,” said Smith.

Ford suggests Manitoba would benefit from the project. He said an extension could be built north to the Port of Churchill.

“We’ll work something out,” said Ford. “I’m 100 per cent behind putting a pipeline up to Churchill and getting an icebreaker and start delivering it around the world.”

This comes after Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan inked a memorandum of understanding last year. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew did not sign on.

In a statement Monday, Kinew said major nation-building projects need to be built the right way.

“That’s why we’re continuing to work directly with northern communities, Indigenous nations, and the Manitoba Crown Indigenous Corporation as we advance discussions around Churchill’s future. Those conversations will continue because lasting economic development is built in partnership,” said Kinew.

A spokesperson for Arctic Gateway Group, which owns and operates the port, said they’re committed to working with provincial and federal leaders to diversify trade through the port to get more western Canadian resources to world markets all year long.

There could be resistance to a new pipeline from environmental groups.

James Wilt from Climate Action Team Manitoba said they oppose the pipeline plan mainly because of climate change.

“We’re seeing the effects of this, obviously in Manitoba, in terms of flooding and last year’s fires but also all over the world, Europe’s heat wave,” said Wilt.

He said we need to rapidly reduce the burning of fossil fuels in favour of other solutions like electric vehicles.

“This is really going in the wrong direction.”