Liquefied Natural Gas in Canada: 16 Facts & Statistics

Liquefied Natural Gas in Canada: 16 Facts & Statistics

RECENT POSTS

liquefied natural gas in Canada - facts and statistics cover

As the world’s fifth-largest natural gas producer, sixth-largest exporter, and home to the ninth-largest reserves, Canada is an absolute natural gas powerhouse. And, the development of our job-creating, economy-boosting, reconciliation-creating liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector along the western coast will allow Canada to do more to meet the world’s growing energy needs.

With investments like LNG Canada—valued at $40 billion, and the largest private-sector project in Canadian history—the LNG industry is set to generate substantial economic benefits for Canadian and Indigenous communities alike. In British Columbia alone, the sector could contribute more than $94 billion to government revenues and over 71,000 jobs by 2064, underscoring its significant impact on the national economy.

Below, we review several key facts on Canadian liquefied natural gas and how the sector is set to bring about significant economic benefits here at home while providing our allies with the reliable energy supply they need.

16 Canadian LNG Facts & Statistics

#1 - At $40 billion, LNG Canada represents the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history [1]

#2 - From 2020 to 2064, Canada’s LNG industry could create more than $90 billion of revenue for provinces and territories (based on 56 million tonnes per annum of export capacity), including $78 billion for British Columbia [2]

#3 - More than $11 billion annually, or $500 billion in new investment in Canada is projected from B.C.’s LNG sector between 2020 and 2064 [2]

#4 - More than 96,000 jobs a year could be created across Canada by a robust LNG sector in B.C., including 71,000 jobs a year in British Columbia [2]

#5 - Over $6 billion in wages could be generated for workers in Canada by the development of a healthy LNG sector on the western coast, with B.C. accounting for $4.6 billion of those wages [2]

#6 - Canada is the world’s fifth-largest producer of natural gas and sixth-largest exporter, with vast gas reserves more than capable of supplying a healthy LNG sector on the coastlines; the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin holds an estimated 632 trillion cubic feet of natural gas [3][4]

#7 - Canada is currently home to seven LNG export projects in various stages of development, all of which are located in British Columbia, representing $109 billion in capital investment and a production capacity of 50.9 mtpa [5]

#8 - LNG Canada is set to be Canada’s first major liquefaction facility, with exports beginning this month or the next in 2025 [5]

#9 - Cedar LNG is the largest majority Indigenous-owned infrastructure project in Canada, playing a significant role in ushering in economic reconciliation with First Nations [9]

#10 - Over the past several years, Canada saw hundreds of billions of dollars in lost LNG investment with the cancellation of several projects including (but not limited to) [6]:

  • Pacific Northwest LNG
  • Kitsault LNG
  • Kitimat LNG
  • Aurora LNG
  • WCC LNG
  • Steelhead LNG
  • Prince Rupert LNG
  • Saguenay LNG
  • Goldboro LNG
  • Grassy Point LNG

#11-15 - Coastal GasLink, the supply pipeline for LNG Canada and Cedar LNG, created significant economic benefits for Canadians including [7]:

  • The creation of more than 25,700 jobs in B.C.
  • $1.8 billion spent on the procurement of goods and services from local and Indigenous businesses
  • A 10% equity stake for 17 First Nations along its route
  • More than $13 million invested in local communities, not-for-profits and sponsorships

#16 - Ksi Lisims LNG, an Indigenous-led pre-construction export facility in northern B.C., is projected to create $55 billion in economic activity over its lifetime, ushering in economic reconciliation with First Nations communities [8]

The World Wants Canadian LNG

Global LNG demand is expected to grow by 60% through 2040, providing Canadians with an incredible opportunity to step up as a vital energy supplier on the world stage. Many countries in Asia and Europe have said they want Canadian-made LNG as they look to diversify their energy supply away from less reliable or unstable sources, making Canada’s exports increasingly important for international energy security.

At home, the Canadian LNG sector is at the forefront of economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Cedar LNG, led by the Haisla Nation, stands as the largest Indigenous-owned infrastructure project in Canadian history. This landmark venture not only generates significant own-source revenues for First Nations but also sets a national precedent for Indigenous partnerships often required to advance natural resource projects across Canada.

Canada’s LNG sector, with its capacity to meet international demand and its commitment to meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples, is well placed to drive the next chapter of domestic economic growth and reconciliation. At the same time, as natural gas demand rises and new LNG export capacity comes online, Canada is set to continue playing a strategic role in global energy security for decades to come.

Supporting Canadian-made LNG just makes sense. Join us to learn more about the benefits of our natural resource sectors today!

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/

3 - https://energy-information.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/energy-factbook-2024-2025.pdf

4 - https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/aapg/aapgbull/article-abstract/106/3/655/611702/The-Western-Canada-Sedimentary-Basin-A-confluence?redirectedFrom=fulltext

5 - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-sources/fossil-fuels/canadian-liquified-natural-gas-projects

6 - https://www.canadaaction.ca/american-report-shows-lng-development-economic-benefits

7 - https://energyconnectionscanada.com/energy-connections-canada-applauds-the-completion-of-coastal-gaslink/

8 - https://www.canadaaction.ca/ksi-lisims-lng-indigenous-involvement

9 - https://www.cedarlng.com/