Scott Stinson: Doug Ford, Danielle Smith trade smiles and belt buckles as new pipeline proposal is announced

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith laughs as Ontario Premier Doug Ford whips off his belt to try out a belt buckle gift after the two signed new memorandums of understanding on energy, trade and interprovincial cooperation at McDougall Centre in Calgary on Monday, July 7, 2025. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia

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With apologies to Wab Kinew, Christine Fréchette and whoever is running Prince Edward Island these days, it’s not a stretch to suggest that Danielle Smith and Doug Ford are the two most important politicians in Canada outside of Mark Carney.

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The premiers of Alberta and Ontario are big personalities who attract no small amount of controversy, and in many ways they are like-minded: pro-business and anti-Trudeau, for a start. Smith would very much like to get as much oil out of Alberta as possible and Ford would very much like it to be refined and put in Ontario vehicles that will drive on ever-widening, toll-free highways.

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So it wasn’t a surprise to see them standing next to each other, big smiles on their faces, as on Monday in Calgary they announced a proposed route for a crude oil pipeline from Alberta to Ontario. This was hardly the Montagues sharing a podium with the Capulets.

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Indeed, during the prepared-remarks portion of the press conference, the two premiers could easily have switched speeches and no one would have noticed much of a change.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford cook pancakes at the annual Premier’s Stampede Breakfast at McDougall Centre in Calgary on Monday, July 7, 2025. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia

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Smith said the proposed route for the “Northern Shield” pipeline, which would crucially go through Ontario to Sarnia at the province’s southwestern tip instead of crossing through multiple U.S. states, was a sign that “Canada is once again open for business,” a former Ford slogan, and she touted a recent poll that suggested 70 per cent support among Ontarians for new pipelines.

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Ford spoke about the importance of getting Albertan oil to international markets, and at one point he sounded almost wistful about the prospects of doing so. “Wouldn’t it be great, folks, if we could bring this pipeline right across the country?,” he said, imaging a line that would terminate on the East Coast. “I think that would be absolutely beautiful.”

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Smith, standing off Ford’s right shoulder, smiled and nodded slightly.

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About the only thing that hadn’t been perfectly coordinated between the premiers were the outfits. Smith was in classic Stampede finery, a denim shirt and bolo tie under a brown cowboy hat while Ford, though his white shirt was more western than his usual style, did not have the requisite headwear. Not a hat guy, it seems.

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A trio of premiers, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford pose for a photo while working in the serving line at the annual Premier’s Stampede Breakfast at McDougall Centre in Calgary on Monday, July 7, 2025. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia

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While Monday’s announcement was for a project still in its initial stages, Ford insisted it was “full steam ahead” on his end, which means a feasibility study and engagement with indigenous groups in the province’s north. The premier said the study, which would also inform whether the project should seek private investment or be backed by taxpayer money, would be finished this year, which seems ambitious.

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Smith, too, said it was time to move with haste, even as her government last week announced an agreement with Ottawa and British Columbia to send oil through a pipeline to the west coast. The more the better, she said, noting that there was a first-mover advantage in getting projects like Northern Shield approved and in front of potential investors, whether they are private or public.