By Paula Duhatschek and Kyle Bakx
More than a decade after its initial LNG boom faltered, Canada is once again eyeing a place in the global liquefied natural gas market. The launch of LNG Canada and six additional proposed projects—together representing up to $109 billion in investment—signal renewed momentum, bolstered by shifting political will, Indigenous partnerships, and growing global demand.
Among the most promising projects is Ksi Lisims LNG, a floating terminal proposed by the Nisga’a Nation in B.C. “It means, in one word, prosperity,” said Eva Clayton, president of the Nisga’a Nation, who expects a final investment decision later this year.
Despite this progress, Canada still lags far behind the U.S., which has become the world’s top LNG exporter since 2016. Regulatory challenges and opposition have long stymied Canadian energy infrastructure, though new legislation in Ottawa and some provinces aims to streamline approvals.
Competition is heating up from the U.S., with a $50 billion Alaska LNG project receiving White House backing. “It could be, certainly, a major competitor for projects on Canada's West Coast,” said Martin King, an analyst with RBN Energy.
Yet environmental concerns and policy uncertainties remain. Critics warn of ecological risks tied to gas pipelines and question the sincerity of political commitments. Still, proponents argue that natural gas can play a transitional role as demand surges in Asia—at least for now.
“The clock is definitely ticking,” said Dulles Wang of Wood Mackenzie. Canada’s next five to ten years may be decisive in determining its long-term position in the global LNG market.
Read the article Canada is getting a second shot at becoming a major LNG player | CBC News
