Stephen Lecce mentions Ontario’s obligation to consult regarding the proposed oil pipeline from Alberta to Sarnia.
Jul 15, 2026 • Last updated 15 hours ago •
Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines, speaks Wednesday at Kel-Gor in Sarnia about a proposal to build a new oil pipeline from Alberta to Sarnia. Standing beside him is Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley. Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines, has had conversations with the chief of Aamjiwnaang First Nation regarding plans for a new 3,300-kilometre oil pipeline stretching from Alberta to Sarnia.
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Lecce addressed a gathering in Sarnia on Wednesday morning about the proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor pipeline, which was announced last week by the premiers of both Ontario and Alberta.
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey informed attendees at Kel-Gor, an industrial contractor in Sarnia, that Lecce had previously spoken with Janelle Nahmabin, chief of the local First Nation.
“I’m just grateful to the chief for her willingness to dialogue with us,” Lecce said.
“Obviously we understand fully the commitment to consult, our constitutional commitment, which we will fully discharge,” he stated.
After last week’s announcement regarding the pipeline route during Premier Doug Ford’s visit to Alberta, Aamjiwnaang issued a statement urging immediate engagement with the First Nation “before any commitments or approvals are made.”
The proposed pipeline running from Hardisty, Alta., to Sarnia would be constructed entirely within Canada, as per statements from the province.
Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines, speaks Wednesday at Kel-Gor, an industrial contractor in Sarnia, about the proposed Northern Shield pipeline. Standing behind him are Steve Crozier, interim CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce, and Caroline Mc Kenzie, general manager of Kel-Gor. Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
While existing refineries and chemical plants in Sarnia already get western oil and natural gas liquids via pipelines, this new pipeline would provide “critical redundancy,” create jobs and transport an estimated additional 500,000 barrels of oil daily into Ontario for local use and export markets. This was noted by Ford last week.
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Ontario plans to assess the project’s cost and investigate commercial models through a feasibility study expected to wrap up by year-end.
“Together we have done some great things,” said Lecce regarding partnerships between the province and Aamjiwnaang concerning new transmission lines in Southwestern Ontario.
“I want to highlight partnerships that have been meaningful so far and use that as a foundation for future collaboration,” he added. “But I recognize we need to keep working together.”
“Any project this large will only succeed through genuine partnership,” Lecce stated. “That’s our promise to them and all Canadians.”
Lecce also mentioned that Ontario is looking into establishing Canada’s first strategic petroleum reserve as a safeguard against global supply disruptions while enhancing national energy security.
“Canada is the only G7 country without a strategic petroleum reserve,” he pointed out.
“It is essential that we build capacity at home for our economy , industry , and defense ,” Lecce emphasized.
This has not loaded yet , but your article continues below.”We will work together moving this project forward,” he asserted.
“Partly why I came here today was “to show you we’re serious,”**Lecce remarked**.”  ;
Stephen Lecce , Ontario ’s minister of energy & mines , speaks Wednesday at Kel – Gor, a contractor in Sarn ia , about building an oil pipeline fr om Albertato S arnia. Photo b y Paul Morden/ The Observer< **C**ompaniessuchas Kel – Gorhave beenemployingover600skilledtradeworkersfo rmorethan50years, and Caroline Mc Kenzie, mana ger there, says:**“Thisiswhat Sarni ahasbeenwait ingt ohearforalongtime”**.
**Shecontinued:**- *Aprojectofthissize meansrealjobsandnewopportunitiesforyoungapprentices.*  ; *Theycanlaunch their careers hereand regional companies can invest right here locally.*”
Caroline Mc Kenzie , general managerof Kel-Gorin Sarn ia, speaks Wednesdayaboutthepipelineproposalfrom Albertato S arnia. Stan dingbehindheris S arnia-Lambton MPPBob Bailey. Photo by Paul Morden/The Observer
S t e v e n C r o z i e r , i n t e r i m C E O o f t h e S a r n i a – L a m b t o n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e , s u g g e s t s t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n ‘s s u p por t f o r t h i s proposal. Ittakescredit f or R E F I N I N G T H E N O R T H-E A R T B E AT OF O N T A R I O ‘ SE P I D U L L Y @*W/|%|#.. *(Summary)*.+*}^+- Croziersaid:”Mostimportantl y,*Northe rn Shieldwillbeafully Canadianpr oj ect, builtwith Canadi steelby Canadianworkersen tirelywithin Canada.”Forfar too long, Cana da’senergysecurityhasbeentiedtoforeigntransitroutes,”hesaid. Curr entpipelinescarryingoilfrom Western Canadacross United Statesontheir wayto S arnia. Sarn ia-Lambtonhasinfrastructurea ndskilledworkforceto takecareofthepipelinedestination ,”headded.”W’re ready willingandmorethan capableofbeingabiggerpartof Canada’senergyfuture,”heconcluded.
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Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines, speaks Wednesday at Kel-Gor, an industrial contractor in Sarnia, about the proposed Northern Shield pipeline. Standing behind him are Steve Crozier, interim CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce, and Caroline Mc Kenzie, general manager of Kel-Gor. Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
While existing refineries and chemical plants in Sarnia already get western oil and natural gas liquids via pipelines, this new pipeline would provide “critical redundancy,” create jobs and transport an estimated additional 500,000 barrels of oil daily into Ontario for local use and export markets. This was noted by Ford last week.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Ontario plans to assess the project’s cost and investigate commercial models through a feasibility study expected to wrap up by year-end.
“Together we have done some great things,” said Lecce regarding partnerships between the province and Aamjiwnaang concerning new transmission lines in Southwestern Ontario.
“I want to highlight partnerships that have been meaningful so far and use that as a foundation for future collaboration,” he added. “But I recognize we need to keep working together.”
“Any project this large will only succeed through genuine partnership,” Lecce stated. “That’s our promise to them and all Canadians.”
Lecce also mentioned that Ontario is looking into establishing Canada’s first strategic petroleum reserve as a safeguard against global supply disruptions while enhancing national energy security.
“Canada is the only G7 country without a strategic petroleum reserve,” he pointed out.
“It is essential that we build capacity at home for our economy , industry , and defense ,” Lecce emphasized.
This has not loaded yet , but your article continues below.”We will work together moving this project forward,” he asserted.“Partly why I came here today was “to show you we’re serious,”**Lecce remarked**.”  ;
Stephen Lecce , Ontario ’s minister of energy & mines , speaks Wednesday at Kel – Gor, a contractor in Sarn ia , about building an oil pipeline fr om Albertato S arnia. Photo b y Paul Morden/ The Observer< **C**ompaniessuchas Kel – Gorhave beenemployingover600skilledtradeworkersfo rmorethan50years, and Caroline Mc Kenzie, mana ger there, says:**“Thisiswhat Sarni ahasbeenwait ingt ohearforalongtime”**.**Shecontinued:**- *Aprojectofthissize meansrealjobsandnewopportunitiesforyoungapprentices.*  ; *Theycanlaunch their careers hereand regional companies can invest right here locally.*”
Caroline Mc Kenzie , general managerof Kel-Gorin Sarn ia, speaks Wednesdayaboutthepipelineproposalfrom Albertato S arnia. Stan dingbehindheris S arnia-Lambton MPPBob Bailey. Photo by Paul Morden/The Observer
S t e v e n C r o z i e r , i n t e r i m C E O o f t h e S a r n i a – L a m b t o n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e , s u g g e s t s t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n ‘s s u p por t f o r t h i s proposal. Ittakescredit f or R E F I N I N G T H E N O R T H-E A R T B E AT OF O N T A R I O ‘ SE P I D U L L Y @*W/|%|#.. *(Summary)*.+*}^+- Croziersaid:”Mostimportantl y,*Northe rn Shieldwillbeafully Canadianpr oj ect, builtwith Canadi steelby Canadianworkersen tirelywithin Canada.”Forfar too long, Cana da’senergysecurityhasbeentiedtoforeigntransitroutes,”hesaid. Curr entpipelinescarryingoilfrom Western Canadacross United Statesontheir wayto S arnia. Sarn ia-Lambtonhasinfrastructurea ndskilledworkforceto takecareofthepipelinedestination ,”headded.”W’re ready willingandmorethan capableofbeingabiggerpartof Canada’senergyfuture,”heconcluded.
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