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Proposed $210 million project misses deposit deadline

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A $210 million offshore oil project has missed the deadline to put down a $50 million deposit, leaving the future of the project unclear.

Premier Tim Houston took to social media to make the announcement, saying “there is no question this is a setback.”

Earlier this year, Nova Scotian-led company Inceptio Oil and Gas Limited was selected for two exploration parcels, with planned work and expenditures totalling more than $210 million. 

Houston called the investment a “massive first step” for renewed offshore oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia.

At first, the company had 30 days to put down the $50 million deposit. The deadline was later moved to August, then again to Oct. 26.

Now, according to the premier, the company has informed him they will be unable to meet the latest deadline to put down the deposit.

Houston says his government will continue efforts to explore offshore petroleum opportunities developed responsibly. 

“Our past success in the sector – the Deep Panuke Offshore Gas Project and Sable Offshore Energy Project – saw hundreds of Nova Scotian families employed right here at home,” said Houston.” (The projects) brought in billions of dollars that helped build schools, hospitals and roads and fuelled the provincial economy.”

The premier went on to say he’s confident that Nova Scotia can see a similar positive impact in the future.

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Residents returning home after mystery odour in Middle Sackville

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Residents are able to return home after some evacuated a Middle Sackville neighbourhood because of a strange smell caused by a petroleum substance in the sewer system.

It was just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday night when the odour was reported coming from the sewer system around Claudia Crescent, Lucy Court, and Flora Court, according to a news release from the city.

Officials went door-to-door, letting residents know they could evacuate themselves if necessary.

Later, crews found a petroleum substance, which could be gasoline, diesel, oil, or another type of petroleum product, in the catch basin at the corner of Claudia Crescent and Flora Court. “The exact material and quantity are unknown,” the city says.

Halifax Water crews flushed the system with water to isolate the material and then vacuumed it out.

Overall, about 70 homes were affected, and 15 residents stayed overnight at the Sackville Sports Stadium evacuation centre.

By about 3 a.m., crews let residents know it was safe to return home.

In a statement, the city says petroleum-based substances, like gasoline and oil, should not be dumped into the waste water system.

“Improper disposal of these substances can create public safety risks, impact the environment and disrupt municipal infrastructure,” the statement says.

Doug Ford Danielle Smith July 6 2026

Proposed route identified for oil pipeline between Alberta and Ontario; potential expansion to Maritimes

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A proposed route for a new oil pipeline between Alberta and Ontario has been identified.

The Northern Shield Energy Corridor is a 3,300-kilometre line that would bring oil to refineries in Sarnia.

The Premiers of Alberta and Ontario signed a memorandum of understanding last year to explore the project.

They’ve now agreed to proceed with a feasibility study to be completed by the end of the year.

“The Northern Shield Energy Corridor would move an estimated half a million barrels of oil per day with the ability to expand to 800,000 barrels per day, bringing new capacity to Ontario refineries and delivering critical redundancy for existing pipelines, while creating good-paying jobs for Canadian workers along the entire road,” says Ford.

The exact costs could potentially run into the billions of dollars.

Ford does not rule out the possibility of it being built with government funding.

“We’ll reach out to the private sector, but we won’t hesitate to do what the government in Canada and Alberta is doing,” says Ford.

“So, let’s take a look at all options, and once we have an answer, we will have this done by the end of the year.”

Ontario is also looking at the potential of expanding the line to other locations.

Ford says he would support an expansion to Quebec and the Maritimes at some point.

“I think that would be absolutely beautiful,” says Ford.

“It would be beautiful for East Coast provinces and would be beautiful for the people of Quebec as well. But that’s up to them. I’m going to focus on Ontario and building this pipeline to Ontario, and then it’s up to the elected officials east of Ontario to make that decision.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a smaller line running through southern Ontario is now used to move oil to Quebec.

She says the new line could expand on those shipments.

“This is an opportunity for us to support Quebec with existing infrastructure, and we’ll be looking at seeing whether or not those ships can make it up and over and go to Eastern Canada to feed those refineries and whether we’d be able to go on to Europe,” says Smith

“I think that regardless of whether we get additional pipeline built, we do have access now, and with additional, we’d be able to increase our exports to Quebec and Eastern Canada.

No date for construction has been identified.

Doug Ford Danielle Smith July 6 2026

Oil pipeline through northwestern Ontario proposed

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A proposed route for a new oil pipeline between Alberta and Ontario has been identified.

The 3,300-kilometre line would bring oil to refineries in Sarnia.

The Northern Shield Energy Corridor includes a route through northwestern Ontario, passing near Kenora and Dryden, but going north of Thunder Bay toward Nipigon and Greenstone.

The Premiers of Alberta and Ontario signed a memorandum of understanding last year to explore the project.

They’ve now agreed to proceed with a feasibility study to be completed by the end of the year.

“The Northern Shield Energy Corridor would move an estimated half a million barrels of oil per day with the ability to expand to 800,000 barrels per day, bringing new capacity to Ontario refineries and delivering critical redundancy for existing pipelines, while creating good-paying jobs for Canadian workers along the entire road,” says Ford.

The exact costs could potentially run into the billions of dollars.

Ford does not rule out the possibility of it being built with government funding.

“We’ll reach out to the private sector, but we won’t hesitate to do what the government in Canada and Alberta is doing,” says Ford.

“So, let’s take a look at all options, and once we have an answer, we will have this done by the end of the year.”

Ontario is also looking at the potential of expanding the line to other locations.

Ford has previously considered a line going to a new port at James Bay.

He does support an expansion to Quebec and the Maritimes at some point.

“I think that would be absolutely beautiful,” says Ford.

“It would be beautiful for East Coast provinces and would be beautiful for the people of Quebec as well. But that’s up to them. I’m going to focus on Ontario and building this pipeline to Ontario, and then it’s up to the elected officials east of Ontario to make that decision.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a smaller line running through southern Ontario is now used to move oil to Quebec.

She says the new line could expand on those shipments.

“This is an opportunity for us to support Quebec with existing infrastructure, and we’ll be looking at seeing whether or not those ships can make it up and over and go to Eastern Canada to feed those refineries and whether we’d be able to go on to Europe,” says Smith

“I think that regardless of whether we get additional pipeline built, we do have access now, and with additional, we’d be able to increase our exports to Quebec and Eastern Canada.

No date for construction has been identified.

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Oil pipeline to N.B. not off the table, says Carney

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With gas prices going up, you may be wondering if it is time for an oil pipeline from New Brunswick to Western Canada.

Since war broke out in Iran and the middle east late February, gas prices have jumped, with many oil tankers getting disrupted as they try to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Halifax on March 26. When our newsroom asked if a pipeline was on the table and what else his government was doing to combat the rising oil prices, he said they have several affordability measures in place, including tax cuts.

“We will look at this as the conflict evolves, and most importantly as the impact on Canadians is there, not saying necessarily that’s the final word,” Carney said.

Later, he added, “We also have opportunities on the east coast in conventional energy, which we’ll be exploring to build that out, and across this country.”

Although he did not rule out the possibility of an oil pipeline in the future, he said Nova Scotia has tremendous energy potential with offshore wind.

He met with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston the next day, on March 27, and signed an agreement to cut red tape for major infrastructure projects. That would include Wind West, an offshore wind initiative that would require new transmission infrastructure to move energy beyond Nova Scotia. The project has the potential to supply a significant portion of Canada’s electricity needs.

With files from Evan Taylor.