Premiers Danielle Smith and Doug Ford agree to study new energy corridors, more trade

The premiers of Alberta and Ontario have agreed to a feasibility study of new pipelines and rail lines between provinces while increasing interprovincial trade of alcohol and vehicles.

The agreements are laid out in two memorandums of understanding that the premiers signed in Calgary on Monday.

The potential pipeline and rail line routes to be studied would connect Alberta's oil and gas resources and critical minerals to James Bay in northeastern Ontario with a commitment to use Ontario-made steel.

The memorandum for supporting new energy corridors says the study would make it easier for the private sector to get on board and lead development.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the agreements signify the two provinces' commitment to drive investment and boost market access for their key industries.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provinces are trying to make Canada's economy more resilient in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

He says he hopes Ottawa will get on board by repealing a number of energy regulations including net-zero targets.

Stampede sightings

The pair were previously together at a roundtable in Calgary on Sunday, with Ford posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they discussed how to build new pipelines, as well as rail lines to export Canadian critical minerals and energy.

Smith also bumped into Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday.

When she told Carney about the documents she and Ford would be signing, she told him it would be "so great if we didn't have net-zero [carbon] rules."

Ford had previously signed a memorandum in May with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to boost the movement of goods and labour between the two provinces.

"The best way to protect Canadian workers from tariffs and economic uncertainty is to build the infrastructure that will get our resources to new markets," Ford said Sunday in a post on social media, along with photos from his roundtable with Smith.

The rush to break down internal barriers to trade comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war with Canada. One study estimates existing internal trade hurdles cost the economy some $200 billion a year.

Throughout the spring federal election campaign, Carney repeatedly vowed to "eliminate" interprovincial trade barriers and create "free trade by Canada Day."

In recent months, Smith has called for Carney to abolish several federal policies and programs, including a proposed greenhouse gas emissions cap, net-zero electricity grid regulations and the West Coast tanker ban.