Sarnia's mayor has penned a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling on the federal government to designate the proposed Northern Shield Pipeline as a "project of national interest."
The 3,300 kilometre route under review is from Hardisty, Alberta to Sarnia.
The east-west energy corridor would move an estimated 500,000 barrels of oil per day for domestic use and export markets, with the potential of expanding up to 800,000 barrels per day.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford had previously said the province was on board with the project, and would be willing to partially fund it.
Mayor Mike Bradley said as the Northern Shield proposal advances through review and consultation, including consultation with First Nations, there is an opportunity for the federal government to recognize the national significance of this project.
"I think it's time that this project moves up to be on that nation building list for the good of the country," said Bradley. "This will unite the country just like rail united the country back in 1867. It's got all the ingredients to bring about Canadian sovereignty as it relates to oil and shipping it and doing it in a safe manner. So to me, the timing is excellent and it's time to move forward while the government's still fresh moving forward on these nation building projects."
Bradley said the designation would be a massive step toward expediting the pipeline.
"It would bring into play their legislation that compacts the timelines for consultation and all the other things that have to happen," he said. "It's ridiculous that could take up to 10 years. If you do all the right regulatory things, do all the consultation necessary, it can be done in three to five years, which would bring an incredible amount of jobs into Sarnia-Lambton."
Bradley noted having more pipelines located entirely within Canada would be a big benefit for the country, especially with the current tense relationship with the United States.
"There's no question that if the pipeline is completed there will be a huge impact here and it could lead to an upgrade here in Sarnia-Lambton," said Bradley. "It could lead to other projects, but it also gives us, for the next generation and the generation after, sovereignty over our own resources. We do not have that with Line 5, with all the nonsense that's gone on in the last five years of opposition in the U.S. and in Michigan in particular. So this would give us, as Canadians, this pipeline that would protect us in the future and give us a secure energy future."
Bradley called the timing "excellent" in the sense of the national mood and the fact the federal government seems to want to take a lead role and create jobs right across the country.
Area politicians, including Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey and St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar, applauded the idea when it was first announced.
A feasibility study is already underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
A similar designation was recently granted for the proposed West Coast Oil Pipeline, which is planned to run between Bruderheim, Alberta to an offshore marine loading facility and delivery terminal near Delta, British Columbia.
