Alberta and Ontario have jointly proposed a new 3,300-kilometre pipeline designed to transport crude oil across Canada, aiming to decrease the country’s dependence on foreign markets. The pipeline would extend from Hardisty, Alberta, to Sarnia, Ontario, crossing four provinces and is expected to have a capacity of approximately 500,000 barrels per day, according to statements made by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday in Calgary.

The announcement comes shortly after Premier Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed an agreement and a revised southern route for a separate pipeline intended to reach British Columbia’s West Coast. Both initiatives are being positioned as potential priority projects under the federal government’s agenda to enhance national infrastructure and expand export capacity amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.

However, unlike the West Coast pipeline, the cross-country project does not have formal federal government endorsement. The announcement on Monday provided few specifics regarding the estimated costs or potential financing arrangements. In addition, the province of Manitoba, through which the pipeline would pass, has not publicly indicated support for the initiative.

The question of who would undertake construction and operation remains unresolved. Industry analysts note that building such a pipeline entails significant financial risk, and there are concerns given the current reluctance of domestic energy firms to invest in large-scale pipeline projects.

The proposal reflects a strategic effort by Alberta and Ontario to secure alternative markets for Canadian crude and to bolster the country’s energy transportation infrastructure. Yet, the absence of federal backing and uncertainties surrounding key details suggest the project still faces considerable hurdles before moving forward.