IEA Wants Canada to Expedite Energy Infrastructure, Timelines Too Slow

When one of the world's foremost energy authorities makes a rare trip to Canada to tell us we "don't have the luxury to be slow," it's worth paying close attention.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol’s first visit to our country since early 2019 was no coincidence. His message was urgent, direct, and full of opportunity for Canada: the global energy system is under severe stress, and the world needs what we have – but we must act now.

A World Running Short on Oil & Gas

Conflict in the Middle East has triggered an unprecedented energy supply shock. Approximately 25% of global seaborne crude oil and 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG) transit the Strait of Hormuz ^[1], a narrow maritime chokepoint that has now become a major geopolitical flashpoint.

The numbers are staggering. According to the IEA's latest Oil Market Report ^[2], cumulative supply losses from Middle Eastern Gulf producers have now exceeded 1 billion barrels, with more than 14 million barrels per day (bpd) shut in. Global oil inventories are falling at a record pace – down 129 million barrels in March and a further 117 million barrels in April alone.

The supply disruption doesn't stop at oil and gas, either. Roughly 50% of global sulphur, 33% of helium, 33% of methanol, 20% of fertilizer, and 9% of primary aluminum also pass through this critical corridor ^[3][4] – all critical commodities that help feed, fuel, and build the modern world.

Canada's "Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity"

Oil and gas aren’t the only things now missing from world markets, Dr. Birol noted – so are "trust and predictability.^{" [5]}

In an era of global instability, the IEA’s framing of Canada’s role matters significantly. The most valuable thing we can offer isn't just barrels of oil or cargoes of LNG – it's reliability. A stable, democratic, rule-of-law nation with vast and varied energy resources is exactly what the world needs.

As countries re-examine their energy policies and seek more reliable sources of supply, Canada has a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to tap into its significant resources to become a major exporter, Dr. Birol said ^[5].

“I wish there were a few more Canadas in the world, so that we can have a much more reliable and sustainable global energy system.”

"When I look at the world, the energy-hungry world, it needs Canada more than ever. And I believe Canada also needs the world."

Strong words from the IEA head. And yet, it shouldn’t be news to Canadians that the world wants us to step up in a big way. Many countries have been knocking on Canada’s door for a long time now.

European nations experiencing supply disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict have repeatedly asked for more Canadian oil and natural gas. Asian economies hungry for affordable, reliable energy from diversified supply chains have looked to us as part of the answer. Government officials from the world’s largest economies, India and China, have both told Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson that they want more Canadian energy.

Canada’s Slow Pace Hurts Competitiveness

Dr. Birol was clear-eyed on Canada's track record. He acknowledged that we have an international reputation for lengthy timelines on major projects.

"Canada doesn't have the luxury to be slow," he said when discussing the development of energy infrastructure, while pointing to the many factors that have converged to create a "golden opportunity."

"The cost of missing this train will be incredible."

He's right. And we've already seen what missing the train looks like.

Qatar, the United States, and others have stepped in to supply LNG to the world, while Canada saw the cancellation of hundreds of billions of dollars in potential export facilities. In 2025 alone, the U.S. sanctioned LNG projects worth $56 billion, compared to none in Canada over the same period ^[6]. While Canada has some exciting new LNG projects on the table, many Canadians leaders agree that project timelines just aren’t moving fast enough ^[7][8].

Today, Gulf producers are expediting the construction of new pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE, for example, says its new pipeline will double export capacity through Fujairah, a port city in the country’s east, and should be operational by 2027 ^[9]. Another proposal involves multiple pipelines from Qatar and the UAE across Saudi Arabia and Jordan, then onward to the Mediterranean Sea via Israel, a route that would bypass the Straits of Hormuz/Bab el-Mandeb, as well as the Suez Canal ^[10].

It should be noted that since the Northern Gateway and Energy East pipelines were cancelled in Canada, global oil demand has grown by several million barrels per day. And today, Canada may once again miss the opportunity to expand oil export capacity to the coast, diversify trade partners, and strengthen the economy – if, as Dr. Birol said, we don’t move fast enough.

Build the Infrastructure. Capture the Opportunity.

The path forward is clear. Canada must move with purpose to build the energy infrastructure – pipelines, LNG export terminals, ports, and transmission lines – needed to get our resources to global markets. Not eventually. Now.

When Dr. Birol was asked directly what he told the Canadian government about oil and gas, his answer was unambiguous ^[5]: "They have to develop those resources, but more importantly, they have to make sure that they have new export destinations."

If Canada is truly to become an energy superpower the world needs, the IEA’s message of urgency must translate into action. That means streamlined permitting, regulatory reforms, clear timelines, and a policy framework that ensures Canada remains competitive with other jurisdictions abroad.

The words from our leaders have been encouraging. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson has spoken about the need to get Canadian energy to tidewater and to trusted allies. Prime Minister Carney has called Canada a potential "energy superpower" in both clean and conventional energy.

That's the right tone, and it’s encouraging to say the least. But more can be done.

The World Needs More Canadian Energy

Canada has oil, natural gas, uranium, critical minerals, farmland, and forests. We have it all, and we produce it under one of the best regulatory systems on the planet. What we have lacked – for too long – is the infrastructure and the will to deliver it to a world that desperately needs it, thereby creating good-paying jobs and economic prosperity for all Canadians.

A recent poll by Angus Reid shows that more than 6/10 Canadians believe energy policy should focus on economic growth. The public gets it ^[11]. The question is whether our country will take action to accomplish the goals we’ve set out for ourselves and act with the urgency the moment demands.

The green lights are on. The world is watching. And as Dr. Birol reminded us, Canada doesn't have the luxury to be slow.

Let's get to work and start building!

We need to urgently build the infrastructure required to secure our future. pic.twitter.com/JmMBJY8E3J

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) May 17, 2026

SOURCES:

_{1 - https://www.iea.org/about/oil-security-and-emergency-response/strait-of-hormuz}

_{2 - https://www.iea.org/reports/oil-market-report-may-2026}

_{3 - https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/beyond-oil-lng-commodities-impacted-closure-hormuz-strait/}

_{4 - https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/helium-and-strait-hormuz}

_{5 - https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/oil-gas/iea-canada-move-faster-energy-supply-shock}

_{6 - https://www.todayville.com/fridays-mou-faceoff-a-grand-bargain-or-a-regulatory-policy-calamity-for-alberta-energy-producers/}

_{7 - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canada-needs-to-move-faster-on-major-energy-infrastructure-project/}

_{8 - https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/03/24/national-bank-ceo-urges-canada-to-move-faster-on-priorities-in-dangerous-world/}

_{9 – https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-uae-new-oil-pipeline-project-fujairah-strait-of-hormuz-iran-war/}

_{10 - https://middle-east-online.com/en/gulf-states-mull-new-pipelines-avoid-strait-hormuz}

_{11 - https://globalnews.ca/news/11844390/canada-energy-policy-economic-growth/}