Manitoba Premier Kinew Backs New Pipelines, Gives Canada Hope

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew's support for new pipelines has given Canada hope for strengthening its economy and national unity, according to a recent statement by the Frontier Centre For Public Policy. The proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor would carry 500,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta to Ontario, bypassing the US territory that has been a point of contention with Enbridge's Line 5.

Kinew's willingness to back the project is crucial as almost 500 km of the pipeline would pass through Manitoba. He stated that he is 'willing to entertain the idea' if it makes Canada stronger, but emphasized the importance of doing things 'in the right way.'

This kind of support from a non-Albertan premier is rare, and Kinew's conditions for approval - including Indigenous governments being onside, workers taken care of, and environmental concerns addressed - are seen as reasonable. However, his stance has soured some NDP members, with former candidate Chris Wiebe giving up his party membership last year.

The Northern Shield Pipeline could potentially run an offshoot to the Port of Churchill, which Kinew sees as an opportunity for economic development in northern Manitoba. The project's success would be a significant step towards meeting Canada's domestic and export potential, particularly with its vast oil reserves - 168 billion barrels of proven reserves.

The failure to build pipelines has cost Canada dearly, and Prime Minister Mark Carney seems unprepared to overrule provincial leadership on the issue. However, Kinew's qualified support of pipelines is a welcome development, and Canadian political leadership needs to get behind Canadian oil and gas - not just for Alberta's sake, but for the entire country.

This kind of interprovincial co-operation is crucial for Canada's economic prosperity and national unity. With Canada in recession and Albertans discussing independence, it's refreshing to hear these warm words from a Manitoba NDP premier.