Canada’s Natural Gas Future Sets Sail with First LNG Shipments to Asia

Canada’s Natural Gas Future Sets Sail with First LNG Shipments to Asia

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We’re thrilled for the startup of LNG Canada and its first shipments of Canadian-made liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asia. Initially announced in 2011, the project’s completion is a significant victory for trade diversification, economic security, Indigenous economic reconciliation, and national prosperity.

For more than a decade, Canada Action has been raising awareness about the importance of new trading relationships for our job-creating, prosperity-generating natural resource industries. As a nation that relies heavily on resource exports to “pay the bills” for our imports and social programs, this landmark achievement is more than just a trade transaction; it represents a profound shift in Canada's energy landscape.

Few captured the historical moment better than our Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. Tim Hodgson shared his sentiment on LNG Canada’s launch, calling it a “watershed” moment for our country.

“When construction began on LNG Canada’s terminal in 2018, who could’ve predicted our first shipment to Asia would set sail on the eve of Canada Day — in the middle of a trade war? The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. Read on to see why this is a watershed moment for Canada’s energy future,” Hodgson posted on X.

 “This shipment is more than infrastructure — it’s a bridge: To Asia. To global markets. To deeper ties with allies who value reliability, stability, and speed. For the first time, Canadians can say that we ship our natural gas to the world — not just across the border.”

For too long, Canada has sold almost all natural gas exports to our only buyer, the U.S., at a significant discount, as we have lacked the major infrastructure, such as LNG export terminals and transmission pipelines, to ship it elsewhere.

Until now, at least.

It only makes sense to find new global markets for our energy, forestry, mining, and agriculture products, helping to maximize the value of our resources. The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion, completed last year, for example, has allowed us to sell our oil to more countries than ever before. It helped reduce the oil price discount and generated an additional $10 billion in revenue for Canadians in 2024, operating for a little more than half the year.

Like TMX, our developing LNG export sector is set to make a lasting economic impact. LNG Canada alone is projected to increase our national GDP by 0.4% and create billions of dollars in benefits for British Columbians and Canadians. This project has already created over 30,000 jobs, with more than $4.7 billion in contracts awarded to local and Indigenous businesses. At $40 billion, it represents the largest single private sector investment in Canadian history.

Beyond construction, LNG Canada is expected to create hundreds of long-term, permanent jobs, contributing an estimated $575 million annually to British Columbia's economy alone [1]. Natural Resources Canada estimates that the LNG sector will eventually add $7.4 billion to the national economy every year by opening up new international markets for a product that is otherwise landlocked to North America [1].

But apart from the significant economic boost that LNG Canada and similar projects will bring to our country, there is a great deal to be proud of, says the Minister.

“Canadians can also take pride in how high our LNG industry has raised the bar through: Low-emissions production, Indigenous co-ownership, [and] Environmental stewardship,” Hodgson continued in his three-part X post.

“This is proof that when Canada leads with values, vision, and determination, we don’t just keep up — we pull ahead.”

This is a truly exciting moment for Canada. With our first LNG shipments now heading to South Korea and Japan, we're clearly demonstrating our capability to execute major projects that benefit our families, boost our economy, and establish us as a dependable energy supplier on the global stage.

It's time to seize this momentum, build the vital infrastructure that links our rich resources to the world, and secure a prosperous economic future for generations to come.

SOURCES:

1 - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lng-canada-first-ship-1.7501046

2 - https://www.conferenceboard.ca/product/a-rising-tide-the-economic-impact-of-b-c-s-liquified-natural-gas-industry/