Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNP CommentScott Stinson: Doug Ford, Danielle Smith trade smiles and belt buckles as new pipeline proposal is announcedThe proposal for a 'Northern Shield' pipeline would build a Canada-only route from Alberta to southwestern OntarioLast updated 12 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.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/PostmediaWith 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.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe 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.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.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againIndeed, 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. 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/PostmediaSmith 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.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.”Smith, standing off Ford’s right shoulder, smiled and nodded slightly.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. 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/PostmediaWhile 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.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.Ford, standing off her left shoulder, smiled and gave a slight nod.The premiers even shared a chuckle when, during the question-and-answer session, Ford was asked about photos from his recent visit to the Calgary Stampede. Was he campaigning to replace Pierre Poilievre as federal Conservative leader?Both leaders laughed. “I wasn’t campaigning,” Ford said. “People asked for pictures, I took pictures.” He also joked that the media in Calgary was “like a church picnic” compared to the treatment he normally gets from Toronto media. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a press conference while Ontario Premier Doug Ford looks on in Calgary on Monday, July 7, 2025. Photo by Dean Pilling /PostmediaWhen the event was just about to wrap up, one more question came, from a Toronto reporter, as it turned out. Ford was asked about his comments on the Alberta separatism referendum from early May, when he said would never have allowed a secession question to be put in front of Ontario voters. Ford said at the time that he thought Smith was protecting herself against the separatists in her base by allowing the referendum to proceed.He avoided such comments on Monday, saying instead that he “thinks the world of Premier Smith” and that he knows she wants Alberta to remain part of Canada. He also said he thought that he previous federal government “treated Alberta like garbage.” This might come as a surprise to the many members of the Mark Carney cabinet who were, in fact, in the Justin Trudeau cabinet.That unpleasantness aside, Ford pulled off his belt for the customary exchange of belt buckles. His was a custom-made Ford Nation buckle, now in Smith’s possession. She gave him an Alberta buckle to replace one that Ford seems to have misplaced.They posed for some more photos, showing off their gifts, Ford now with his belt in his hand.The Prime Minister wasn’t there, of course. But he probably would have appreciated the scene, even if it did involve a couple of his would-be antagonists. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.