The talk over the past 18 months in Canadian politics has been focused largely on the need to get major projects that help build Canada’s self reliance done. Of course, this has been sparked because of the decision by the Trump administration to place tariffs on many Canadian goods and making it clear that the days of a North American Free Trade zone are either over or going to look very different under this administration than they have for the past several decades.
Some Canadians have rightly pointed out that the need to diversify trade should have been a focus of past federal governments and not left until an emergency situation arose. And while there is truth to that, and all political parties shoulder some of the responsibility for the current situation, there is little that is accomplished by looking backward and wishing things had been done differently. Canada must deal with the situation it finds itself in today, regardless of how it got here.
This means prioritizing projects that help Canada become more self reliant but also less reliant on one single trading partner, the United States. This has led to long overdue efforts to reduce trade barriers between provinces and to look for ways to better capitalize on our natural resources. And, over the past 18 months, that has resulted in a number of specific projects being identified in Canada to help achieve these goals.
However, to date, Manitoba has not played the same role as other provinces in this nation building effort. To be sure, there has been significant interest expressed in the Port of Churchill. Manitoba’s access to tide water through the deep-water arctic port certainly could play a significant role in helping get Canadian goods to other markets around the world. Yet, to date, and despite many announcements and pronouncements there is only a feasibility study that has been committed to toward the future development of Churchill.
And yet, it seems as though things are moving more quickly in other provinces. Recently, the province of Alberta and Ontario announced a proposal, called the Northern Shield Energy Corridor. This 3,300-kilometre oil pipeline would run from Hardisty, Alberta to oil refineries in Sarnia, Ontario. With an estimated 500,000-800,000 barrels a day moving through the pipeline to the refinery, it would go a long way in supporting Canada’s position as an energy superpower. Importantly, the line would not run through the United States, which means that it would cross both Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Saskatchewan’s Premier, Scott Moe, was quick to say he was on board with the proposal while Manitoba mostly remained quiet until last week when our provincial government said that it would be “willing to entertain” the proposal.
To be clear, it is not only important to do the right thing, but also to do it the right way. But it is also important that there is some urgency to these nation building projects. And it is critically important that Manitoba be at the table when it comes to these projects. This also means demonstrating urgency while understanding the need for proper engagement.
For Manitoba and for all provincial governments, this isn’t a position any of them expected to be in just a couple of years ago. But many things in the world have changed and it requires us to do things that, frankly, should have been done years ago. But there is now an urgent need to move forward, and Manitoba has to be a part of this national effort and step up in terms of the speed and determination it shows.
