Saskatchewan is joining seven other provinces and two territories in an agreement to advance the development of a National Energy Corridor.

The agreement builds on discussions last fall, where the provinces identified strengthening electricity transmission connections as a key priority.

Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison says Saskatchewan has been working with partners to advance practical solutions that strengthen electicity infrastructure and improve connections between provincial grids.

Canada’s electricity system is largely designed with north-south transmission links to the United States rather than east-west between the provinces.

“Today we have a choice,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario Energy and Mines Minister. “We can remain siloed and limit our trade, or we can build a truly pan-Canadian grid that connects us east and west, north and south.”

Quebec, Newfoundland and Nunavut have not joined the agreement, but Lecce indicated at a news conferece that Quebec has expressed support for the concept.