Issue:
Canadian crude oil can be shipped by rail as far as Thunder Bay, but a lack of tankers and oil infrastructure prevents it from going further. This necessarily limits Canadian oil exports eastward when markets in Europe are interested in new sources of energy from reliable and ethical trading partners like Canada.
Why It Matters:
Oil exports in Canada totalled over $130 billion last year, representing a large slice of the Canadian economy. While Niagara is not an oil producer, it is a major shipping route; over 9,300 vessels go through the St. Lawrence Seaway every year, with almost 3,100 passing through the Welland Canal, and Niagara has a role to play in this development.
Facts & Context:
Targeted investments in tanker vessels and Seaway terminal facilities in Thunder Bay could enable oil shipping through the St. Lawrence seaway to Europe and the Mediterranean almost immediately. While the Seaway sees heavy traffic, it is not at capacity and could handle more vessel transits. Longer-term, a pipeline to Thunder Bay would be more economical and efficient than shipping by rail, and would reduce the cost of a coast-to-coast pipeline considerably.
Policy Position:
The GNCC advocates building out Seaway shipping capacity, both in vessels and port infrastructure, to enable Canadian crude to access global markets more efficiently and bolster the country’s energy security.
2025-ongoing
