As part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a stronger, more self-reliant economy, the Ontario government recently announced the Northern Shield Energy Corridor, a proposed 3,300-kilometre pipeline that would connect Alberta’s oil sands to Sarnia’s world-class refining and petrochemical complex, one of the country’s most important industrial hubs. Built with Ontario steel and by Ontario workers, this nation-building project would create good-paying jobs in Ontario while reinforcing Sarnia’s role as the eastern gateway of a modern, coast-to-coast Canadian energy network. Today, Minister Lecce echoed this in Sarnia.
For more than a century, Sarnia has been the heart of Canada’s energy economy. The region’s legacy began in nearby Oil Springs and Petrolia, where North America’s first commercial oil fields launched a new industry that transformed the continent. Today, the region is home to one of North America’s largest refining and petrochemical clusters that transforms Canadian energy into the fuels that power homes, businesses, and industry across the country. The proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor will protect thousands of existing manufacturing, refining and energy jobs across the Sarnia region, while creating thousands of new good-paying opportunities for Ontario workers during construction and long-term operations. As part of this effort, Ontario is also undertaking a feasibility study to establish a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) using existing refining, storage and distribution infrastructure. An SPR would provide a secure domestic stockpile of critical fuels to help protect Canadian families, businesses and essential services during emergencies while strengthening Canada's long-term energy security.
The Northern Shield Energy Corridor will build on Sarnia’s legacy by establishing the region as the eastern anchor of a secure, made-in-Canada energy supply chain. Built with Ontario steel, the pipeline would move an estimated 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil and expand to up to 800,000 barrels per day as demand grows.
Thank you to Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, MPP Bob Bailey, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar, Steve Crozier, the Kel-Gor team, and everyone who joined today's announcement and discussion.
Read the Province of Ontario's media release: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007766/unveils-vision-for-sarnia-refinery-expansion
