This blog has been edited due to Bill C-59
Canada’s nascent liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry is making great strides forward, with four current projects currently underway. LNG Canada – the largest private sector investment in our country’s history – is one of those projects; with an initial capacity of 14 million tonnes per year, the LNG facility has created immense benefits for our families and governments, including [1]:
- Over 30,000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous people employed to work on the project to date
- Nearly 9,000 people employed at the LNG Canada construction site in 2024 alone
- $4.7 billion in spending on contracts and sub-contracts to local, Indigenous and other businesses in B.C.
- $3.8 billion of which was spent on Indigenous-owned and local area businesses
These are big numbers, demonstrating the significant and positive economic impact LNG development can have on our communities. But these figures are just the tip of the iceberg; if Canada were to see more projects get built apart from the 30+ mtpa of current LNG export capacity underway, we could do more to support our families while helping the world accomplish its energy security goals.
Below are several quotes from various organizations and leaders with differing backgrounds and expertise on why developing Canadian-made LNG is in the absolute best interest of our families! Also see:
- 11 Quotes by Indigenous Leaders in Support of Canadian LNG Projects
- 20 Quotes Showing the Importance of Energy Security for Canadians and the World
Why Canadian LNG is the Best Choice: 15 Quotes
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“The path forward for Canada’s LNG industry is clear: We must act now. This is not a call for reckless haste, but for strategic urgency. By increasing capacity, streamlining approvals and forging effective partnerships, Canada can secure its position as a global LNG leader. We must embrace this moment with boldness and vision, recognizing that the future of energy is not waiting for us.
Canada has the chance to not just join the race, but to lead it. Let’s seize this opportunity and affirm our commitment to progress, [and] prosperity...”
Lance Mortlock – Managing Partner, Energy and Resources, EY Canada
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“This work [Cedar LNG] has really helped us reconnect with other Indigenous communities along pipelines and shipping routes.
When I was growing up, our communities never had the opportunity to come together because we were separated by the territorial boundaries imposed by the Indian Act. And we were fighting each other for financial scraps from Indian Affairs.
Now we are working together to make our own opportunities as owners and developers of the resource. That’s very empowering and the most important part. Participating in developing these resources provides independence. It’s the only solution for my nation and other Indigenous communities.”
Crystal Smith – Chief Councillor, Haisla Nation
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“Helping the world get off Putin’s oil and natural gas resources is a geopolitical benefit that cannot be overlooked...
Even if Canada took a more common-sense position when it came to resource development, inflation wouldn’t be solved overnight and this option wouldn’t solve the entire problem. But it could help — and talking about the solution is a good first step.”
Colin Craig – President, SecondStreet.org
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“LNG has been a unique opportunity for First Nations. It is essentially a brand-new industry for our province and country, allowing us all to start from scratch. As the LNG opportunity was explored, First Nations acquired the resources to negotiate, advocate, and write ourselves into the story on the largest industrial projects in Canadian history.
The B.C. government took an open approach to invite First Nations participation – and it’s been pushed to go further over the past decade. Industry recognized that there was no pathway to LNG without meaningful First Nations participation – a lot more meaningful. First Nations considered the opportunity and weighed the trade-offs.
We could see the benefit for growing and emerging countries that needed cleaner energy than coal, and we could see the benefits for First Nations and other communities here in Canada, and the importance to do it right – economically... and socially. We travelled to Asia to learn about global energy demand, we visited LNG facilities, and we consulted our community members. We took a step forward together into this opportunity.
Now, First Nations are realizing economic and training opportunities for the benefit of our people and all communities. Now, we are in a stronger position to protect our land... We are finally becoming decision-makers on our own lands and realizing the promise of our pre-existing legal rights.”
Karen Ogen – CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
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"…The choices are very limited for people who want oil and gas. And of all of the choices that they have... Canada is the one that's most committed to the innovation. So we can be a part of the solution.”
Goldy Hyder – President & CEO, Business Council of Canada
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“Liquefied natural gas provides the best opportunity to move our... natural gas to markets overseas...
…So, to the question of who is best positioned to supply the world’s energy needs — the answer could not be clearer. Canada produces some of the most ethical, low-cost... natural gas in the world. Every cubic foot delivered overseas will... provide reliable, affordable... energy to our international partners. We have both an obligation and an opportunity to support our allies — we just need to seize it.”
Terry Anderson, President & CEO, ARC Resources
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“Over their project lifetime, these four proposed developments would generate over $250 billion in investments, employ roughly 50,000 Canadians (directly and indirectly), and generate approximately $50 billion in government revenues.
It is also worth noting that Indigenous communities would realize many of these benefits – two of the projects have direct Indigenous ownership, while the others all have benefit agreements. Put differently, these four projects alone would have an economic impact equivalent to half of Canada’s auto industry, all while providing economic opportunities in historically marginalized communities."
Boston Consulting Group
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“Despite being the world’s sixth-largest producer of natural gas, Canada lacks even a single export terminal for LNG. When critics of Canadian LNG production pointed to the unfeasibility of meeting overseas demand, despite the entreaties of the Germans and other Europeans, they were only technically correct. Canada couldn’t easily meet overseas demand because our regulatory regime has held up the construction of as many as 18 proposed LNG projects over the past decade...
Ironically, Germany—the continent’s greatest industrial power—needed to reactivate discontinued coal plants to meet its energy demands..."
David Polansky – Toronto-based Writer
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“The world needs Canadian LNG, and we can meet that need... And make no mistake, Canadian LNG is Indigenous LNG, a premium product that will provide benefits locally, provincially, [and] nationally... well into the future."
IndigenousLNG.ca
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“...we in British Columbia have a duty to get our act together and make that global supply readily available…
Eighteen LNG projects were proposed; we’re left with one. The ones that hung around were fully endorsed by First Nations – Woodfibre (Squamish Nation), Cedar LNG (Haisla Nation), KSI LNG (Nisga’a Nation).”
Eliss Ross – MLA, Skeena, B.C
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“We could provide greater support to Western security and at the same time boost the economy and reduce our deficit if we supplied more oil, gas and... energy to our allies. We are already the largest energy exporter to the United States.
But less than five per cent of our energy exports go to countries other than the U.S. If we finished the Trans Mountain pipeline and built LNG export plants on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, we could provide more energy to Europe and Asia, not just the United States.”
Jack M. Mintz - President’s Fellow, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
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“...Gas in liquid form is also more versatile and can be transported and stored more easily than in its gaseous form, which allows for greater flexibility in meeting energy demands. Given Canada’s immense gas reserves, LNG really should be an important economic driver in the medium term, so long as policy allows it.
Building LNG infrastructure and export facilities does generate demand for construction jobs, which are always attractive to governments."
Duncan T. Munn – President, C.D. Howe Institut
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“Canada has a compelling opportunity to simultaneously... build our overall economy, and contribute to growing First Nations prosperity...
Canada should be a world leader in transporting its... natural gas via LNG to the countries in the world that need it. Our allies are calling out for it, and we have all the components required to allow our country to win this challenging yet rewarding game.”
Mike Rose – Chairman & CEO, Tourmaline Oil Corp.
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“The recent visit to Canada of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida clearly demonstrates Japan is actively searching for more supplies of energy, including LNG, from allies as it shifts away from Russian imports.
Some say this demand is being driven by an “energy crisis,” but it’s so much more than that. Every moment of human progress in history has, at its core, relied on an improved access to lower-cost, high-intensity, and more-reliable energy. This has been true throughout history, and it remains true today.
Energy is the foundation for more than economic growth and a higher quality of life. Energy is the foundation of life itself. Europe and Asia want our energy for energy security... But others need it too.
…That’s where Canada comes in. We can and should meet this global need. In fact, we as Canadians have an obligation to provide that energy to the world...
...That can be done through LNG.”
Greg Ebel – CEO, Enbridge
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“Mexico is projected to surpass Canada in global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports, and not because we lack the supply or the know-how to produce it. Instead, red-tape and politics have all but quashed the opportunity for Canada to export fuel from one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world. It’s a shame, because Canada, and the world, would be more prosperous... with the means to share its bounty.
…Building out LNG infrastructure would serve Canada’s interests through economic... reconciliatory, and geopolitical benefits in the years ahead.
…Canada has a once-in-a-generation LNG opportunity that would benefit our economy, Indigenous communities, our international reputation...
But the clock is ticking.”
Dr. David Detomasi – Professor, Queen’s University & Noah Lee – Student, Queen’s University
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