Executive Summary

The politics of pipelines in Canada is intensifying. No fewer than six major crude oil pipeline projects are currently being planned or considered to ship oil across the country. In addition, there are proposed gas pipeline projects to transport natural gas to the British Columbia coast for export.

But it is crude oil pipelines–particularly pipelines transporting production from the oil sands–that have become flashpoints. Environmental groups and energy companies have staked out clear positions, as have political parties and First Nations communities. Many provinces have made their positions clear and the Canadian Prime Minister has publicly stated he will not take “no” for an answer if the US refuses to approve the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline. The Ontario government has recently announced that it is supportive of pipeline construction generally, stating it to be in the national interest. More detail about the nature of that support has yet to emerge.

Ontario’s position in this debate is inevitably more complicated than that of other provinces. New Brunswick and Alberta, for example, have very clear economic interests in the successful completion of the Energy East pipeline. BC has outlined its position in detail, which involves weighing the economic and environmental risks and rewards of pipeline projects and has recently signed a framework agreement with Alberta. Saskatchewan and Quebec have likewise articulated clear positions on major pipeline projects, in line with their economic interests.

Ontario’s interests are more complicated.

Ontario is in general supportive of economic development in New Brunswick and of Alberta’s continued prosperity and is thus inclined to support new pipelines. But Ontario also has a strong commitment to reduce the emissions which contribute to climate change. For nearly a decade, Ontario has confronted a federal government that refuses to recognize the contribution that Ontarians are making to reducing emissions while allowing the emissions from the oil sands to continue increasing unabated. So long as the federal government–and the government of Alberta–support a climate change policy that asks Ontarians–and other Canadians–to carry the largest burden and pay the biggest financial cost for reducing emissions, there are good reasons for Ontario to oppose pipeline development that will only exacerbate climate change.