OTTAWA — CHRIS SEVERSON-BAKER, executive director of the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to today’s announcement of the federal government’s first batch of nation-building projects to come through its Major Projects Office:
“Today’s announcement is a tangible indication that this government recognizes that a strong, resilient and secure Canadian economy will be built on sectors aligned with low-carbon economic growth. We’re pleased to see government focus on some projects with potential to facilitate clean economic development and achieve our climate goals, diversify our economy and prepare Canada for leadership in a low-carbon world.
“On LNG Canada Phase 2, as with all conventional energy projects, financing should come from the private sector. Economic competitiveness means not propping up industries or sectors that can’t stand on their own.
“Globally, investment in clean energy now outnumbers fossil fuels two-to-one. We agree with recent government commitments to making our economy ‘climate competitive,’ maximizing Canada’s ability to attract billions in potential private investment – this is the pathway to economic success and resilience in 2025 and beyond.
“On nation-building, initiatives that help reduce emissions also tend to help solve multiple other crises, like affordability, health and energy security. Growing our supply of domestically produced, low-cost electricity and powering more of our daily lives with it – through EV uptake or electrification of home energy use – will result in a lower cost-of-living for most Canadians, improved health outcomes, and more stable and predictable prices for everyday things. We need to see more projects on future lists that increase Canada’s supply of abundant, low-cost electricity and a modern, efficient grid.
“Major projects alone – while important – will not be sufficient to futureproof Canada’s entire economy. They must be accompanied by policies that send a strong investment signal, so more private capital can be leveraged to make all our industries climate competitive. We look forward to seeing what policies government includes in its climate competitiveness strategy, such as new measures to boost Canada’s EV industry and incentives to spur investment in energy-efficient, low-cost buildings. Most importantly, all governments must prioritize fixing our industrial carbon pricing systems to create the steady and predictable investment environment our big industries need to reduce their emissions and compete in a low-carbon world.
“Today’s announcement is also notable for what is not on this first list. Canadians were told this process was about fast-tracking ready-to-go projects, to unleash private investment from companies otherwise held up by government approvals. Over the next few months, we urge government to continue prioritizing projects with the greatest likelihood of creating jobs, prosperity and positive outcomes for Canadians long into the future – not those where the outlook is uncertain, or where taxpayer dollars could be at risk.
“We encourage government to maintain its commitment to ensuring all major projects advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples. A collective, national focus on projects and initiatives that can create a legacy of multigenerational benefit also presents the opportunity to correct the wrongs of the past and assert and advance rights and title of Indigenous nations. Indigenous consultation should be considered foundational, with the recognition that early and thorough consultation will allow projects to move faster and be more likely to succeed.”
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Contact
Brendan Glauser
Senior Director, Communications, Pembina Institute
604-356-8829
Background
Reports:
Issue paper: Long-term nation-building via clean growth and Indigenous leadership
Comments and recommendations: Pre-Budget Consultation 2025
Bill C-5 Policy Brief: Set the bar high: in time of crisis, we need excellence
Op-eds:
National Observer : Clean electrification is the nation-building project we need
Hill Times : The nation-building initiative of retrofitting Canada's buildings
Globe and Mail : In 2025, what is an energy superpower?
Calgary Herald: Does pipeline fever mean missed opportunity elsewhere?
Blogs:
Blog: There is no “nation-building” without Indigenous leadership
Blog: We need workers to “build, baby, build"
