Ontario and Pennsylvania Sign Agreement to Increase Trade and Cooperation on Energy, Critical Minerals and More

MOU reinforces Ontario’s plan to create jobs and support continental security by building Fortress North America

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support increased cooperation in key sectors, including expanded energy trade and improved energy infrastructure, critical minerals, manufacturing, life sciences and more. As part of this MOU, Ontario and Pennsylvania agreed to explore increased cross-border energy trade that would take advantage of Ontario’s growing energy supply as the province continues to build and expand its nuclear energy capacity. The agreement follows Premier Ford’s recent mission to Washington, D.C. and the unveiling of Ontario’s renewed plan for Building Fortress North America by reaching a fair free trade agreement that will create more jobs, lower costs and strengthen North American security.

“From affordable, reliable nuclear energy to critical minerals and more, Ontario has everything needed to support our allies, create jobs, protect continental security and make life more affordable for families on both sides of the border as we build Fortress North America,” said Premier Ford. “Ontario’s continued leadership in expanding our nuclear energy is an historic opportunity to support our friends and neighbours in Pennsylvania by exporting affordable, reliable energy that can power economic growth in both our jurisdictions. Today’s agreement will help us secure these benefits for workers and families in Ontario and Pennsylvania and will set the stage for more cooperation in the years to come.”

In 2025, goods traded between Ontario and Pennsylvania were worth $20.5 billion (CAD), and Ontario was Pennsylvania’s number one export customer. Under this agreement, Ontario and Pennsylvania will expand strategic cooperation in areas that are critical to both regions’ economies, including energy, energy infrastructure and advanced nuclear technologies. The agreement features the development of an electricity transmission and trade framework that would increase electricity transmission between Ontario and Pennsylvania’s power grids to help lower costs for families and businesses and deliver more modern and resilient electricity generation in both jurisdictions. Ontario continues to make historic investments to build and expand nuclear energy capacity, including the first small modular reactors in the G7.

“This Memorandum of Understanding builds on the strong working relationship that already exists between Pennsylvania and Ontario,” said Governor Shapiro. “I want Canadians and Canadian businesses to know that Pennsylvania remains a warm and welcoming place for you — we value our shared history, our shared values and our shared commitment to an economically prosperous future for both our peoples. Canada is Pennsylvania’s largest trading partner and we’re proud of the balanced trading relationship we have with our neighbours to the north. This MOU reaffirms our commitment to that relationship and sets the stage for deeper collaboration to grow our economies, attract investment and welcome visitors.”

The MOU also commits to leveraging Ontario’s other commercial advantages, including steel, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, life sciences, technology and AI, agriculture and forestry to build on the existing trade and investment ties between Ontario and Pennsylvania, driving innovation and economic growth on both sides of the border. In addition, the agreement strengthens the Ontario–Pennsylvania partnership to protect, restore and conserve the Great Lakes, while supporting sustainable economic growth across the Great Lakes region.

“Ontario and Pennsylvania are integral economic partners, having supported generations of workers and businesses through cross-border trade,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Today’s Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen this storied relationship, signalling our government’s commitment to mutually beneficial trade agreements that unlock new job-creating opportunities for workers on both sides of the border.”

The new MOU is part of the government’s ongoing plan to make Ontario the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7 by strengthening ties and establishing new relationships with governments at the federal, state and local levels, as well as business leaders across the United States. Since 2023, Ontario has signed seven new economic cooperation agreements with Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland and New York.

Quick Facts

• Nearly one in five jobs in Ontario depend on trade. With over 1.3 million jobs supported by exports, Ontario’s jobs are the most export-reliant across Canada.
• In 2025, total foreign direct investment from Pennsylvania into Ontario was $88 million (CAD).
• Building Fortress North America: Ontario’s North American Growth Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico to strengthen the most important economic partnership in the world, unlocking billions of dollars in new investment, creating a jobs boom, lowering the cost of living, limiting the flow of unfair imports and strengthening national security across the continent.