A visit to the Calgary Stampede has led to more than just gifts being exchanged between the Premiers of Alberta and Ontario.
Ontario’s Doug Ford and Alberta’s Danielle Smith have put pen to paper on a pair of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the goal of building new pipelines, rail lines, and additional energy and trade infrastructure.
Smith wants to work with the different options they have on the table for ports at the moment including a one at James Bay in Ontario. She says “the idea behind that would be let’s get some ice breakers in there, maybe build out some additional rail and road infrastructure and then it can be a multi-purpose port not just for oil pipeplines, gas pipleines, propane but also food, fibre, manufactured goods, critical minerals that to me is where I think that I would like to go with this MOU with the Premier of Ontario.” Premier Smith adds, that allows for us to get not only the product out and over to our friends on the east coast by ship but we can also get it on to Europe.
According to Premier Ford, Canadians need to work together to build infrastructure in the hopes of diversifying trade partners and ending dependence on the United States. He says “we need to get rid of all the red tape and regulations. We could be the most prosperous, strongest, richest, wealthiest country in the entire world. You know, I’ll never forget when I met with First Nations partners when I was in Toronto and one of the Chiefs said ‘we could be like Saudi Arabia.’ I almost jumped over the table and hugged the guy. This is the mindset we need, we need everyone working together.”
According to provincial officials, work will be done collaboratively to launch a joint feasibility study this year to help move private sector lead investments in rail, pipelines and ports. The two premiers previously signed MOUs in early June, opening up trade between both provinces.
With files from Bradley Aubin, Vista Radio.
