Alberta and Ontario are teaming up to push forward new oil and gas pipelines, energy corridors, and repeal federal policies they say are stifling growth and investment.
Signed during Premier Doug Ford's visit to the Calgary Stampede, he and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) "outlining their commitment to strengthen interprovincial trade, drive major infrastructure development, and grow Canada's global competitiveness by building new pipelines, rail lines and other energy trade infrastructure," notes a July 7 release.
“Alberta and Ontario are joining forces to get shovels in the ground and resources to market," said Premier Smith, via the release. "These MOUs are about building pipelines and boosting trade that connects Canadian energy and products to the world, while advocating for the right conditions to get it done. Government must get out of the way, partner with industry, and support the projects this country needs to grow. I look forward to working with Premier Doug Ford to unleash the full potential of our economy and build the future that people across Alberta and across the country have been waiting far too long for.”
The release notes that areas the two provinces agree on includes the need for the federal government to amend or repeal the Impact Assessment Act along with repealing the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, the implementation of the Clean Electricity Regulations, the Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap, and "all other federal initiatives that discriminately impact" the energy, mining and manufacturing sectors.
It is believed that with the two provinces joining forces and taking this action, they can attract the investment needed to "get shovels in the ground, grow industries and create jobs," according to the premiers.
"In the face of President Trump’s tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty, Canadians need to work together to build the infrastructure that will diversify our trading partners and end our dependence on the United States," Ford said in the release. "By building pipelines, rail lines and the energy and trade infrastructure that connects our country, we will build a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy and country. Together, we are building the infrastructure we need to protect Canada, our workers, businesses and communities. Let’s build Canada.”
The first of the MOUs has a focus on "developing strategic trade corridors and energy infrastructure," connecting Alberta and Ontario oil and gas and critical minerals to the world markets. Included in the agreement is support for new oil and gas pipelines, enhanced rail, new port infrastructure in James Bay and Southern Ontario, developing "end-to-end supply chain for refining and processing Alberta's energy exports," and working collaboratively on nuclear energy to meet growing energy demands while ensuring reliability and affordability.
The second MOU signed by the two premiers commits to exploring and prioritizing made-in-Canada vehicle purchases for government fleets and a joint commitment to reducing trade barriers for liquor products.
"These MOUs with Ontario build on the work Alberta has already done with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and the Port of Prince Rupert," said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.
To facilitate these MOUs, steering committees between the two provinces will be struck and the two provinces will begin work on a joint feasibility study to "help move private sector-led investments in rail, pipeline(s) and port(s) projects forward."
The July 7 release notes that the latest MOUs follow an earlier agreement signed by Ford and Smith on June 1, 2025, where they agreed to open up trade between the two provinces.
