Manitoba Premier refuses to sign pipeline deal with other premiers
Manitoba NDP Premier Wab Kinew refrained from signing a new interprovincial trade agreement between Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, citing the need for Indigenous consensus.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew refrained from signing a new interprovincial trade agreement between Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, citing the need for Indigenous consensus before endorsing any major infrastructure projects.
The trade agreement was unveiled on Tuesday when the premiers gathered in Huntsville, Ont., for the Council of the Federation meeting.
The Memorandum of Understanding will commit the three provinces to a partnership in building new trade infrastructure, such as rail lines and pipelines.
The memorandum’s primary goal is to expand market access to all Canadians for gas, oil, and critical minerals while reducing reliance on foreign trade partners such as the United States amid growing uncertainty.
The newly signed agreement also pushes for regulatory reform and advocates for a streamlined “One Project, One Process” federal review process, which would give greater deference to provincial authority regarding infrastructure projects.
It also cites the need to consult with Indigenous communities and support equity partnerships with major projects.
However, Kinew said that Manitoba’s approach will begin by putting Indigenous engagement first.
“Our government will not treat consultation as a box to check after decisions are made,” said Kinew on Wednesday. “We believe reconciliation requires shared decision-making from the start.”
The memorandum remains open to future signatories, meaning Manitoba may join at some point, but no further negotiations have been scheduled.
However, geographically, Manitoba’s participation is paramount as both rail and pipelines would have to run through the province as it travels from Alberta to Ontario.
Still, the Manitoba premier stressed the need for consensus from Indigenous stakeholders before proceeding with major infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan intend to construct pipelines using Ontario steel to transport western oil and gas to refineries in southern Ontario.
Additionally, the memorandum outlines plans to build a new deep-sea port in James Bay and expand rail lines connecting Ontario’s mineral deposits to western ports.
“With the world shifting and unfair tariffs putting pressure on our economy, now is the time to build a resilient and self-reliant Canada,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters on Wednesday. “Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are taking the lead.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe echoed Ford’s comments, saying the new trade agreement will secure Canada’s energy and mineral supply chains.
“This agreement signals that Canada’s energy future will be built by Canadians, for Canadians,” he said. “We’re committing to real projects — pipelines, rail links, and processing facilities — that will create jobs and strengthen our economy.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith added that the provinces can no longer keep waiting for federal regulatory approvals.
“Provinces that want to build and grow are uniting,” said Smith. “This is about action, not more talk.”
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Kinew is not doing this out of any virtue; he is doing this because this is how indigenous politicians negotiate; everything the hard way.
I believe it is high time we involved indigenous communities more, but it is going to be one rough road. I spent 6 years working in indigenous communities in a position that involved negotiation. Many of them just don't understand reasonable, many of their politicians are corrupt, and there is no trust.
But we can't go on the way we have been. They have to learn reasonable, they have to rein in their corrupt politicians (the federal governments over the decades bear the responsibility for this sorry state of affairs), and they have to learn to trust.
Then, maybe, can be break free of this horrid system that keeps indigenous communities in poverty despite untold billions poured into the communities. Then, maybe, can we interact with each other human being to human being and forget all this animosity.
But the road will be rough.
What is to be expected from an ndp/liberal, more BS. Alberta, and if they want Saskatchewan, needs to leave, NOW