In Calgary, Ontario premier talks Northern Shield pipeline

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is willing to put up taxpayer dollars to help build a proposed cross-country oil pipeline spanning 3,300km, but it won’t be the full cost.

Official response and confirmed impact

“We’ll be an investor, and we’ll determine that. But I believe in getting outside investment,” said Ford.

“I’m just going to reinforce that we are not paying for this.

We’re putting in a small investment.” What that small investment will be is unclear. Ford believes there should be help from the private sector.

The proposed pipeline would span four provinces and run from Hardisty, Alta., to a refinery in Sarnia, Ont., transporting an initial 500,000 barrels of oil per day, with the capacity to expand to 800,000.

Ford says it will be done in less than four and a half years. “John A.

Macdonald built a railroad in 1860—we can build a pipeline,” said Ford.

“The risks of building in Canada often outweigh the reward; that needs to change.” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who joined Ford at the Calgary event, believes there is enough backing from the private sector to get the pipeline built.