Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre has appeared before the House of Commons Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States on the importance of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline for Saskatchewan.

She says, “Line 5 is a crucial energy lifeline for Saskatchewan and western Canadian oil and natural gas producers,” Eyre says, “Michigan’s move to shut it down would have a serious impact on North American energy security and Canada’s economic relationship with the United States.”

Last November, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer revoked the pipeline’s 1953 easement through the Straits of Mackinac and ordered it closed by May 12, 2021. A legal challenge by Enbridge and a mediation process are currently underway.

Approximately 70 per cent of Saskatchewan’s total oil production is exported through the Enbridge Mainline pipeline system.

The province says that Line 5, which moves up to 540,000 barrels per day of light crude oil and natural gas liquids, is a critical piece of energy infrastructure for American states in the Great Lakes region, as well as for Ontario and Quebec. Without it, refineries in those provinces would have to increase reliance on trucking, crude-by-rail and oil imports.

“A decision to shut down Line 5 would raise energy costs for Canadians and affect everything from home heating rates and grain-drying costs, to Pearson International Airport’s fuel supply and propane for barbecues,” Eyre said. “There would also be a significant impact on heating and transportation costs in Michigan and surrounding states, some of which are against this proposed shut-down.”

The cross-partisan House of Commons Special Committee was struck on February 16, 2021, and is expected to deliver an interim report on the importance of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline no later than April 15.