Fortress Am-Can: Ontario’s Vision for a Sustainable Energy Future

Canada is a leader in building resilient, sustainable energy systems, and Ontario’s “Fortress Am-Can” initiative exemplifies this visionary leadership. Announced in January 2025, this ambitious partnership between Ontario, the United States, and allied jurisdictions aims to tackle some of the biggest energy and environmental challenges of our time while powering economic growth across North America.

What is Fortress Am-Can?

Fortress Am-Can is an integrated strategy designed to ensure reliable, clean energy while fostering long-term economic and environmental sustainability. This initiative focuses on advancing energy innovation, bolstering cross-border trade, and strengthening the interconnected energy infrastructure between Canada and the United States. By leveraging its extensive clean energy capabilities—primarily hydroelectric and nuclear power—Fortress Am-Can promises to ensure energy security while committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the transition to net zero.

Key Goals of Fortress Am-Can

1. Energy Security
   Ontario will collaborate closely with its neighbours to safeguard the reliability of the shared energy grid. By integrating clean energy resources and upgrading transmission infrastructure, Fortress Am-Can ensures communities across Canada and the U.S. can access predictable, dependable energy, especially during peak demand periods. This includes expanding Ontario’s nuclear power capacity, with plans for the first small modular nuclear reactors in the G7.
2. Economic Prosperity
   The collaborative nature of Fortress Am-Can fosters opportunities for Ontario to become a critical hub for clean energy supply and innovation. Nearly CAD $493 billion in two-way trade was reported in 2023 between Ontario and the U.S., providing a robust foundation for economic collaboration. The initiative aims to produce one million more Am-Can vehicles by 2028, further tapping into the integrated automotive manufacturing sector. Upgraded infrastructure and expanded exports of clean, reliable power will create jobs and promote economic growth on both sides of the border.
3. Critical Minerals Development
   A practical component of Fortress Am-Can is the focus on developing critical minerals, particularly in the resource-rich Ring of Fire region. Establishing an Am-Can Critical Mineral Security Alliance will play a crucial role in reducing reliance on foreign supply chains, particularly from China, and position Ontario as a key supplier of essential resources like lithium and cobalt. While the timeline for forming this alliance and its specific regulatory processes remain in the early stages, the intention to expedite critical mineral projects highlights Ontario’s commitment to enhancing its domestic supply chain.
4. Green Energy Leadership
   Ontario is doubling down on its commitment to prioritize clean energy. Fortress Am-Can will amplify the province’s role as a trailblazer, exporting low-carbon energy to the United States while supporting environmentally responsible industrial growth. This helps align the energy strategies of Canada and its U.S. allies with global climate action goals.

Sustainability at the Core

Fortress Am-Can is more than an economic initiative—it reflects a holistic approach to building a greener future for Ontario and beyond. By ramping up clean energy exports, Ontario reduces reliance on fossil fuels, helping jurisdictions across North America lower their emissions. The initiative’s focus on renewable sources, including nuclear and hydroelectric power, positions Fortress Am-Can as a catalyst for next-generation green technology. This aligns with CACOR’s mission of fostering solutions to preserve ecosystems while creating a sustainable future for all species.

Collaboration to Address Climate and Energy Challenges

Fortress Am-Can reflects the growing understanding that climate and energy challenges require deep collaboration. Sustainable solutions involve working across borders and jurisdictions to prioritize clean energy, modernize infrastructure, and foster innovation.

This effort underscores the critical importance of:

• Shared Responsibility: Climate action requires cooperation, and Fortress Am-Can unites Canada and the U.S. in their commitment to net-zero goals.
• Modernization: Investments in energy transmission infrastructure will enable Ontario’s clean energy to flow seamlessly across the border, supporting both local and regional energy stability.
• Transition Leadership: Clean energy-powered economies are the future—Fortress Am-Can signifies Ontario’s leadership in helping bring this transition to life.

Building the Future Together

Fortress Am-Can isn’t just about energy; it’s about redefining prosperity while addressing the urgent need for sustainability. It’s a commitment to future generations that economic growth does not have to come at the expense of the planet. By facilitating cross-border cooperation, investing in innovation, and expanding clean energy exports, Ontario demonstrates the power of collaboration in building a climate-resilient future.

As Fortress Am-Can takes shape, it will serve as a blueprint for how regions can work together to create economic opportunity while safeguarding the environment. At canadiancor.com, we support efforts that harmonize innovation, sustainability, and progress—efforts like Fortress Am-Can that pave the way to a sustainable energy future for Canada, the United States, and beyond.

Learn more about Ontario’s plans for Fortress Am-Can.