Pipeline proposal ignites jobs vs. environment debate in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley

Sarnia is reacting to the proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor pipeline between Ontario and Alberta. CTV London’s Gerry Dewan reports.

A proposed 3,300-kilometre pipeline, dubbed the Northern Shield Energy Corridor, stretching from Hardisty, Alta., to Sarnia, Ont., has reignited the long-standing tension between economic development and environmental protection in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley.

Unveiled Monday, the project promises significant job creation and energy security, but also raises immediate concerns about its potential environmental impact.

The Northern Shield Energy Corridor would connect Alberta’s energy resources to Ontario’s refining belt, with proponents pitching it as a cornerstone for Canadian energy security, job creation, and economic growth.

Matthew Slotwinski, head of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, hailed the pipeline as a potential “generational change,” asserting that it would bring certainty for decades to come.

“It’s important to note that this project is Canadian feedstock through a Canadian pipeline to Canadian refining, which ultimately is the engine that feeds manufacturing across Ontario and eastern Canada,” Slotwinski told CTV News. “This is a project we should all be excited for because of the economic opportunity it’s going to create.”

However, the project faces scrutiny from environmental advocates and local Indigenous communities.

Ada Lockridge, a member of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and an environmental activist for over 25 years, emphasized the imperative for comprehensive air and water quality monitoring and absolute transparency.

While she is not taking a stand against the pipeline due to geopolitical considerations, Lockridge expressed concerns about potential higher sulphur levels in the crude oil.

“Sarnia needs to clean up their sulfur that’s in here already,” she stated.

Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin issued a statement acknowledging the economic potential, but highlighting the nation’s existing environmental crisis.

“Our community is already living in a state of environmental emergency; adding new pipeline risks without addressing existing harms is unacceptable,” Nahmabin said.

The Northern Shield Energy Corridor is a joint initiative championed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. They position the pipeline as a critical step towards strengthening Canadian energy security, reducing reliance on foreign markets, creating jobs, and opening new markets for Canadian oil.

The proposed route would remain entirely within Canada, built with Canadian steel, and is projected to carry 500,000 barrels of oil daily, with potential for expansion.

Smith stated the project aims to “connect Canadian energy with Canadian consumers while laying the foundation for future growth.”

Ford added it is a plan to “protect workers” and build a “more secure, united and resilient Canadian economy.”

Environmental groups like Greenpeace Canada have voiced strong opposition. Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist, criticized the proposal for lacking a private proponent and a clear business case, suggesting public funds should not subsidize new fossil fuel infrastructure.

He argued that cleaner, cheaper alternatives like electric vehicles, heat pumps, wind, and solar power are more viable and faster to deploy. Stewart also pointed out that much of Alberta’s oil already reaches Ontario via existing U.S. pipelines and questioned the economic sense of a project potentially costing billions, citing the abandoned Energy East pipeline.

Heather Exner-Pirot, director at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, suggested the proposal is driven more by energy security and sovereignty than immediate commercial returns, though she acknowledged valid reasons for investing in these areas.

She noted Sarnia’s current reliance on Enbridge Line 5, which faces political challenges in Michigan, making a west-east pipeline potentially justifiable for domestic security. However, Exner-Pirot stressed that the project’s cost-effectiveness requires thorough evaluation.

A feasibility study for the Northern Shield Energy Corridor is currently underway, expected by the end of 2026. The Ontario government has also initiated its duty to consult with Indigenous partners and communities regarding the proposal.

With files from Kevin Green, video journalist, CTV News Calgary