In a world shaped by uncertainty, secure energy supply has never mattered more. And for years now, that reality – rightly so – has drawn major attention to Canada.
According to Reuters, buyers in the Middle East are showing interest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from Canada as a hedge against geopolitical instability and shipping disruptions, underscoring the shift happening in global energy markets.
This is an extraordinary development. Despite being one of the world’s most important energy-producing regions, Middle Eastern buyers are now looking outward for safe, reliable LNG.
Ratnesh Bedi, President of Singapore-based Pacific Energy – a company with majority ownership in the Woodfibre LNG project in British Columbia – said that interest has been persistent.
“Almost every week, someone is approaching us to say, ‘hey, do you still have capacity?’” he said, despite the fact that Woodfibre’s 2.1 million tonnes per year (mtpa) of output is already fully contracted to buyers.
“Very interestingly, not only is it North Asia that is coming, but to my surprise, even LNG suppliers out of the Middle East are coming to find alternate supplies for their customers,” Bedi continued, declining to name the companies.
According to Charlotte Power, Press Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the federal government has also heard “strong interest from Middle Eastern companies in pursuing both LNG equity investments and offtake deals,” via reporting by Reuters.
This is incredibly important. The fact that buyers from the Middle East – one of the largest sources of LNG in the world – are curious about available Canadian supply speaks volumes to what Canada has to offer.
It confirms what Canadians have been hearing for years: the world wants more Canadian LNG.
Countries across Europe and Asia have repeatedly expressed interest in Canadian natural gas because they see it as a stable democracy, a reliable ally, and a trusted long-term supplier.
In an era of seemingly never-ending conflicts, supply shortages, and growing concern over trade route chokepoints, Canada’s role in all of the above is increasingly invaluable to the world.
Canada’s geographic advantage adds to that appeal. Its coastlines reach both Asian and European markets with shorter shipping times than many competing energy exporters, allowing LNG projects to serve international markets without transiting high-risk maritime bottlenecks that now dominate global headlines.
The world isn't just looking for LNG. Countries are seeking Canadian oil, potash, uranium, and food to replace supply chains disrupted by continued global conflicts. They are also looking for resilience. They want secure supply chains, stable partners, and dependable energy they can count on as the world becomes less predictable.
Canada offers all those things, and more.
The opportunity here is not abstract. It is economic, national, and immediate.
A strong West Coast LNG sector could generate more than $500 billion in economic activity between 2020 and 2064, support roughly 96,550 additional jobs per year, deliver more than $6 billion in annual wages, and contribute over $150 billion in combined provincial and federal government revenues. These aren’t small numbers. They represent jobs for skilled tradespeople, opportunities for Indigenous communities and local businesses, a more robust public purse, and a more competitive national economy.
Canada also has the opportunity to ship LNG from its eastern shores. The recently announced Kino Aski LNG project is estimated to deliver up to 15 million tonnes of LNG per year to European buyers, powered by Quebec’s robust renewable electricity grid. The project could generate billions in economic activity, support tens of thousands of construction jobs, and an additional 4,000 permanent jobs during operations in Canada. According to the proponent, half of construction activity and 60 per cent of operational activity would be located in Quebec.
Beyond construction, this translates into job-creating capital investment across the entire natural gas value chain. It means more paycheques for families, stronger tax revenues for governments, and a boost for local businesses – all while cementing Canada’s role as a go-to global energy supplier.
The momentum behind Canadian LNG projects is already building.
Germany, Poland, Greece, South Korea, Japan, China, Ukraine, and other countries have all said they want or support Canadian-made LNG over the past several years.
The case for Canadian LNG is becoming harder to ignore with each passing month. When buyers in Europe ask for Canadian supply, that is significant. When Asian markets want more access, that is important. But when even Middle Eastern buyers are seeking Canadian LNG because of rising geopolitical risks, the message is impossible to miss.
The world is asking for our energy resources, loudly, clearly, and consistently. Canada should answer.
While Canada has seen great progress on LNG project approvals over the past several months, including the beginning of operations at LNG Canada – the country’s only major operating export facility – more can be done to ensure that projects get past the finish line.
At a time when energy security is once again at the centre of global decision-making, Canada has a rare opportunity to lead – not someday, but now.
The world needs more Canadian energy. pic.twitter.com/1Ta1Wtg4aM
— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) August 18, 2026