Ontario’s Premier is putting forward a strategy he says will benefit Canada and the United States.
Fortress Am-Can puts great emphasis on energy.
It includes integrating electricity grids to allow for the expansion of power to the U.S.
The plan also promotes other forms of generation and energy, including storage, hydrogen, renewables, natural gas and Ontario’s development of small modular nuclear reactors.
“Fortress Am-Can is a renewed alliance between America and Canada that’s a beacon of stability, security and long-term economic growth on both sides of the border,” says Ford.
“Fortress Am-Can is a vision that respects each country as proudly independent. A vision that celebrates what we can achieve together. A true partnership where Canada and the US Align on shared priorities, achieving free, fair and balanced trade, growing our economies, accelerating resource development and protecting our borders and our communities.”
The strategy encourages the creation of a cross-border working group, to cut red tape and align regulations that slow down the building of energy infrastructure like transmission lines and pipelines.
Ford says the group would also ensure both countries adhere to the best practices that protect systems from foreign interference, cyber attacks, terrorism and extreme weather events.
He also encourages reinforcing existing new transmission lines and natural gas and oil pipelines and building new ones connecting the two countries.
“With these measures, we can power our economic growth including new power-hungry data centers and artificial intelligence with clean and reliable energy fueling economic growth across Canada and America while creating better jobs with bigger paychecks here at home.”
Despite recent comments from President-elect Donald Trump that the U.S. does not need anything from Canada, Ford is confident he can find a willing partner to move the plan forward.
He notes Canada ships 4.3 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S. which receives 60% of its energy imports from north of the border.
He adds critical minerals are also exported for use on many products and military purposes.
“I want to work with the President. I want to make sure we have a strong alliance. And when we work together, there’s no one that can stop us.”
Ford says working together, both countries can be the richest, safest and most successful in the world.
