Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce stopped by Sarnia's Kel-Gor Limited on Wednesday, July 15, to reiterate the province's commitment regarding the proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor.
The proposed project was announced on July 6, and positions Sarnia as the end of a 3,300-kilometre pipeline.
"When they talk about moving up to 800,000 barrels of Alberta crude east, the conversation naturally turns to where that energy lands. The logical answer: it's right here. Sarnia isn't just a destination on a map; it's the absolute heartbeat of Ontario's petrochemical and refining sector," said Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce Interim CEO Steve Crozier. "We don't need to spend decades building a hub from scratch. Our existing world-class refining infrastructure is already in place, ready to scale, and uniquely capable of anchoring this massive project. But infrastructure is only as good as the people who run it."
The project is expected to connect Alberta to Sarnia and remove Canada's reliance on other nations for the transport of crude oil and strengthen the country's long-term energy security.
"Today, 50 per cent plus of the oil, 100 per cent of the aviation fuels that come into Ontario, crisscross through the United States. From Western Canadian crude transported to the east of Canada, it goes through the state of Michigan. A problem that has been well defined in the hearts and minds of Canadians that we cannot, in good conscience, rely on them for energy sovereignty, for the reliability that our country and Canadians need now more than ever as demand grows," said Lecce. "The Democratic governor of Michigan, the Republican president of America, have one thing in common: they have both used legal authorities to try to upend and undermine our economy. We cannot allow anyone else to have that type of leverage and control over our future, over our economy, over our prosperity as Canadians, and thus we made the case for a sovereign pipeline-a route that starts and ends in this country, built by and for Canadians."
Although there are still many questions surrounding the proposed pipeline, the national project is hoped to retain and bring new employment and industry to Sarnia-Lambton.
"A project this size means work, real work and lots of it: fabrication, construction, maintenance. It means opportunities for apprentices to get their start, for journey people to build their careers, and for companies across this region to hire and invest right here at home in Ontario," said Kel-Gor General Manager Caroline McKenzie. "The benefit of a project like this doesn't stop at one company's fence line. Good, steady work supports families. Every paycheque earned on a project like this gets spent back at local businesses, local restaurants, local rinks, and ball diamonds. Every year of steady work means young people can build their futures here instead of leaving to find opportunities elsewhere."
Several local leaders, including MPP Bob Bailey, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar attended the conference.
Due to the active heat and air quality warnings during the media conference, the Q&A portion was cancelled.
