My economic corridor plan:
The TC mainline, the only in Canada pipeline we have runs past Timmins(near Kapuskasing on this map).
This is the "Polar Express" rail line, or Northlander. Cochrane is near Timmins.
So, the plan would be to build a big ass port at Moosonee(or nearby appropriate location, it's been studied)that exports oil, LNG, and they have rail so may as well plan for goods. Grain maybe keep at Churchill? If we need more export capacity, sure add that.
Leave the mainline as is, but have the option to divert exports if capacity is there. Add a second gas and oil line along the same route to Moosonee. It's only about 250km. Continue oil further east/south maybe? a 1 million barrel oil pipeline could feed Ontario with half of it, and export the other half. They could also build the oil tank farm at Timmins or whatever, so they wouldn't need huge storage further north.
I think this avoids a lot of the more challenging terrain in Manitoba, and provides better access to Ontario. If we want energy independence AND export options, this makes more sense than Churchill. We also make Ontario the big finance partner here, which has a lot more resources than Manitoba. Obviously a huge amount of money, but we'll just make Quebec pay for it.
