“This report reinforces the tremendous economic and environmental benefits of developing a strong Canadian liquefied natural gas industry. As noted in the report, doing so will create tens of thousands of jobs across our country, help lower global emissions, and increase Canada’s annual gross domestic product by tens of billions of dollars. This is why it is imperative that the federal government work with Alberta, British Columbia, and other provinces to advance LNG projects using a Team Canada approach.
“As traditional natural gas export markets in the United States become increasingly self-sufficient, we must look towards new and emerging markets to ensure the long-term viability of the sector. As more countries, particularly in Asia, turn to cleaner forms of energy to displace coal-fired generation, Alberta’s 300-year supply of natural gas resources and technically skilled workforce make our province perfectly suited to supply this growing demand.
“Since Day 1, our government has been steadfast in our support of Alberta’s natural gas sector. Albertans, Canadians and people around the world depend on this cleaner burning resource, and that’s why we continue to advocate – to all levels of government – for enhanced market access. Nation-building projects, such as those referenced in the report, would create more than 96,000 annual jobs for Canadians, and boost total wages by more than $6 billion each year. In Alberta, the completion of a series of West Coast LNG projects could contribute $1.6 billion to the province’s annual GDP, along with nearly 10,000 permanent, good-paying jobs each year. The report also notes significant job and economic benefits to other provinces across the country, including Ontario and Quebec.
“We continue to work with our federal and provincial counterparts, industry partners, and Indigenous communities to identify critical long-term initiatives that will help cut red tape on project approvals, increase pipeline access, and get new and innovative infrastructure built to reach Canada’s coastlines.
“As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, our government will soon announce details of our natural gas vision and strategy – a plan that outlines how Alberta will act on the significant LNG opportunity that exists for our province, as well as supporting sectors like petrochemical manufacturing and plastics recycling.
“Our historical strengths as a natural gas powerhouse have set a solid foundation. Now, together as Team Canada, we must work to build an innovative and sustainable LNG industry that will create ripple effects of success well into our future.”