1954 : joining forces

In 1954, two of Canada's key pipeline companies merged following much speculation as to which company would take Alberta's gas to domestic markets in Ontario and Quebec, and to export markets in the midwest and northeast United States. Canada's Minister of Trade and Commerce announced the decision in January 1954 that Western Pipe Lines and Trans-Canada Pipeline Company Limited would amalgamate their interests in order to speed the start of construction. Trans-Canada was allowed to build its mainline from Alberta to Winnipeg and then south into the United States. In order to satisfy nationalist interest in Canada, a segment was designed to branch off from the mainline at Winnipeg and cross the Canadian Shield. The pipeline was completed in October 1958. Other key events in 1954 were the creation of the Alberta Gas Trunk Line Limited; the launch of the 645-mile extension of the Interprovincial Pipe Line system that delivered crude from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario; and, Pacific Petroleum's discovery of light oil at Buick Creek, British Columbia. 1 tab., 1 fig