Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Adam Pankratz: After being gaslit for years, suddenly, we're told there's a business case for LNG

This week, Minister Tim Hodgson said that he'd heard from our allies in Asia and Europe who want to by gas directly from Canada

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Even though we all know on some level the government lies to us, it still always hurts a little bit when our suspicions are blatantly confirmed.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson offered this sad confirmation to the country in an interview this week when asked about the Canadian opportunity in LNG, following the disruption to Qatar’s LNG production due to the war in Iran.

Adam Pankratz: After being gaslit for years, suddenly, we're told there's a business case for LNG Back to video

The damage has caused Qatar to declare force majeure for several of its contracts with European nations, due to its capacity to produce being reduced by 17 per cent for a period of three to five years, following a ballistic missile strike at the Ras Laffan facility.

This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

With Qatar unable to deliver the gas Europe desperately needs after deciding to free itself from the threat of cutoff from Russian gas, the opportunity for Canadian LNG is obvious.

When asked recently about the opportunity Minister Hodgson answered that “We are hearing directly from our allies in Asia, our allies in Europe, that they want to buy gas directly from us.”

Well blow me down, colour me shocked, and knock me down with a feather.

You don’t say? Europe would rather deal with Canada than Qatar? Europe, which does its best to consistently display its virtues and human rights adherence, would rather get LNG from Canada, a long-time ally?

Europe would rather deal with Canada than Qatar, a country with dubious human rights records, which cares much more about a short-term, opportunistic economic relationship with Germany following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Europe’s desperate need for gas?

While refreshing to hear, the belated public acknowledgment of what many of us knew years ago isn’t anywhere near as valuable now as it might have been.

Terry Newman: Finally, Olympic eligibility for female sports will be based on science

Terry Glavin: Democracy is in retreat, and that works fine for Carney

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Some will recall that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and said there was “No business case for LNG,” when Germany had practically come begging for Canada to build an LNG pipeline and sell them our gas.

About four months after Trudeau made that statement, Germany signed a 15-year deal with Qatar for the apparently valueless LNG Trudeau had in Canada.

The chickens of Canada’s unbelievably myopic and shortsighted energy development policy continue to come home to roost.

While former minister and part-time CN Tower scaler Steven Guilbeault insisted as recently as last May that no new pipelines were needed in Canada, and that the Trans Mountain pipeline was at less than half capacity, we continue to learn just how wrong and misleading this all was.

Earlier this month, Trans Mountain put out bids to up its capacity by over 300,000 barrels per day because demand is again outstripping pipeline supply. Political wishes and words are simply not aligned with the world’s energy reality.

Minister distances party from Liberal MP's comments on forced labour in China Canadian Politics

Minister distances party from Liberal MP's comments on forced labour in China

Poilievre applauds J.K. Rowling's comment about Olympic ban of trans athletes from women's sports Canada

Poilievre applauds J.K. Rowling's comment about Olympic ban of trans athletes from women's sports

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

This B.C. woman was offered MAID before other treatments. She said no to death and went on to climb a volcano Canada

This B.C. woman was offered MAID before other treatments. She said no to death and went on to climb a volcano

Avi Lewis could be set for a big NDP leadership win, but remains polarizing within the party Canada

Avi Lewis could be set for a big NDP leadership win, but remains polarizing within the party

Terry Glavin: Democracy is in retreat, and that works fine for Carney NP Comment

Terry Glavin: Democracy is in retreat, and that works fine for Carney

By swallowing an unrealistic green agenda whole hog, the government has made Canadians poorer. This should be a national scandal and emergency.

Yet, despite the alarm bells again ringing in the global energy supply chains, Minister Hodgson and Prime Minister Mark Carney have little to offer but florid words and promises; nothing has actually changed. The Major Projects office hasn’t approved a single new project which was not already underway. The new Alberta pipeline MOU hasn’t advanced any further due to business uncertainty.

All the while, the world continues to look for energy elsewhere, notably the United States.

Carney and Hodgson have thus far talked a good game. Refreshing as the words may have been, syntax and good grammar doesn’t move gas molecules and oil. Only steel in the ground can do that, and right now, it simply isn’t happening fast enough.

Adam Pankratz is a lecturer at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.

Sign up for our NP Platformed newsletter

Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

The Sephora spring sale dates are here: How to get up to 30 per cent off Best beauty on sale including rhode, Dyson and Korean skincare 12 hours ago Beauty

The Sephora spring sale dates are here: How to get up to 30 per cent off

Best beauty on sale including rhode, Dyson and Korean skincare

Toronto restaurants and hotels with special things to do this Easter From a smashable carrot cake and afternoon tea to a chocolate egg hiding a chance at a free stay 15 hours ago Travel

Toronto restaurants and hotels with special things to do this Easter

From a smashable carrot cake and afternoon tea to a chocolate egg hiding a chance at a free stay

Upgrade your spring work wardrobe with these 5 vests A good vest blurs the lines between layering piece and stand-alone top. Try one of these. 16 hours ago Fashion & Beauty

Upgrade your spring work wardrobe with these 5 vests

A good vest blurs the lines between layering piece and stand-alone top. Try one of these.

Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Travel more, spend less: The ultimate 2026 guide to booking from Canada — and what to avoid An online guide to make planning your getaway a cinch 17 hours ago Travel

Travel more, spend less: The ultimate 2026 guide to booking from Canada — and what to avoid

An online guide to make planning your getaway a cinch

Amazon Spring Prime sale Canada: Weekend deals we recommend A curated list of the best Amazon deals worth buying 19 hours ago Deals

Amazon Spring Prime sale Canada: Weekend deals we recommend

A curated list of the best Amazon deals worth buying

© National Post