St. Paul – A proposed infrastructure corridor stretching across Western Canada has the support of St. Paul council — at least when it comes to continuing the conversation.

Council agreed Monday night to provide a letter of support to Pisim Power to continue exploring the Canadian Northern Corridor Initiative, an Indigenous-led concept that could eventually bring rail, pipelines, fibre optics, power transmission, and other infrastructure together along a multimodal corridor.

The proposal was previously presented to the Regional Joint Council, where municipalities heard about a phased vision intended to improve connectivity across Western Canada while creating opportunities for Indigenous economic participation and regional development.

According to information provided to council, Pisim Power is working with Indigenous communities across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and says it has received support from communities along the proposed corridor, including some within the region.

A big idea, but still an early one

CAO Steven Jeffery introduced the request to council, describing the proposal as an “Indigenous-led vision for a phased, multimodal infrastructure corridor extending across Western Canada.”

Potential infrastructure could include rail, pipelines, fibre optics and power transmission.

But Jeffery was also clear about what St. Paul’s support means, and what it doesn’t.

“Passing a letter of support does not commit us to funding, land-use approvals, infrastructure investment or future participation in the project.”

The Town’s Request for Decision confirms any future decisions involving specific projects, routes, agreements, municipal funding or land-use approvals would have to come back to council separately. There are also no financial implications for the Town simply providing the letter.

That distinction matters because, at this stage, council isn’t approving a pipeline, railway or any other piece of infrastructure.

It’s supporting Pisim Power as it continues to explore whether the larger corridor can work.

Why St. Paul is staying at the table

The request also lands at a time when economic development conversations in the St. Paul-Elk Point region are increasingly looking beyond traditional municipal boundaries.

Administration noted the STEP region is seeing growing interest in major infrastructure, energy, aerospace, defence and industrial projects. Staying engaged with groups such as Pisim Power gives municipalities a chance to understand those opportunities as they develop rather than trying to catch up later.

The proposed Town letter reflects that approach.

It recognizes the potential for strategic infrastructure investment to benefit rural and northern communities and supports continued planning, engagement and exploration of the corridor, while noting the initiative remains in its early stages.

If the project advances, administration says it could potentially strengthen regional transportation, utility, communications and energy infrastructure while supporting Indigenous partnerships and investment attraction.

For now, St. Paul is simply putting its name behind taking a closer look.

Council approved providing the letter of support.