Our newsletter: 27 March 2025
Indigenous groups address party leaders
In an open letter, four key Indigenous groups tell federal election party leaders that the four “are prepared to be part of the responsible growth of Canada’s oil and natural gas exports and to address energy insecurity.”
But the First Nations LNG Alliance, the Indigenous Resource Network, the Indian Resource Council and the First Nations Power Authority send a clear message that Indigenous peoples must be involved at every stage.
Their letter includes this:
“Indigenous peoples are not spectators in this conversation, we are rights-holders and stewards of the land. Moreover, we are important players in Canada’s oil and natural gas sector across the value chain, as partners, owners, workers and regulators. . . .
“At the same time, Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, have inherent and Treaty Rights to resource ownership which must be respected and recognized moving forward.
“We will do our part to support other levels of Government and all Canadians as we work to build a more secure future for ourselves and international allies. But we must be involved every step of the way.”
- Read it here: https://ow.ly/O5iO50VmUSr
Feds put up $200 million for Cedar LNG
The federal government will contribute up to $200 million, under its Strategic Innovation Fund, to the Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG project in BC.
Cedar LNG welcomed the support, saying it is “a key component to advancing an innovative and sustainable project that will result in one of the lowest-emitting LNG facilities in the world.”
Haisla Chief Councillor Crystal Smith: “Haisla values of sustainability and environmental protection are core to how Cedar LNG has been designed, and will result in one of the most innovative LNG facilities in North America, with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world.
“Together with our partner Pembina, we are proud to be changing the face of the Canadian energy sector, in a manner that elevates Indigenous values of environmental and cultural protection.”
Scott Burrows, CEO of Pembina Pipeline Corp., the nation’s project partner:
“Cedar LNG is a powerful example of how industry, Indigenous nations and governments can work together to deliver much-needed Canadian energy to the world. . . .
“Cedar LNG will bring industry-leading, low-carbon, cost-competitive Canadian LNG to overseas markets, contributing to global energy security, creating jobs and economic growth, all while upholding the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.”
(Chief Crystal is also chair of our Alliance.)
- Cedar LNG news release: https://ow.ly/aTQK50VmXEp
- Federal news release: https://ow.ly/88VC50VmXGi
LNG must be a national priority
François Poirier, CEO of TC Energy, says Canada should accelerate its LNG projects.
“The world is watching. Our allies are counting on us. And Canadians deserve an energy sector that delivers for them. We have the demand; we have the resources and we have the opportunity. Our future calls for bold, decisive action — now.”
And: “Canada is uniquely positioned to provide one of the cleanest sources of LNG globally, which can play a significant role in reducing emissions by displacing coal-fired energy in Asia. This makes us as a critical partner in the global energy transition toward a balanced and cleaner future.”
- Read him in National Post: https://ow.ly/YG7V50Vo8Mb
And there was this message to governments from Resource Works: “Canada’s LNG industry is at a fork in the road. The US is pushing a $44-billion USD Alaska LNG project and President Donald Trump is flexing his economic muscle, putting Canada in danger of losing its edge in the global market. . . .
“Canada’s chance to get into Asian markets is at risk. To stay competitive, the federal and provincial governments must get behind the LNG sector—now.”
- Read more: https://ow.ly/JGeg50VmXUo
First Nations and clean energy
- 12 First Nations in BC are getting financial support for clean-energy projects, from BC’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund: https://ow.ly/3uqc50VmYrx
- Stellat’en First Nation and Innergex sign an electricity-purchase agreement with BC Hydro for the Nithi Mountain Wind Project (photo above): https://ow.ly/J42b50VmY9N
- An Indigenous joint venture is just weeks away from cutting the ribbon on a $52-million solar farm in Alberta: https://ow.ly/FQbv50VmYv2
- Environmental assessment begins for the Peshu Napeu wind farm, proposed in Quebec by the Conseil des Innus de Pessamit (39%), Innergex (38%) and the Regional County Municipality of Manicouagan (23%): https://ow.ly/9HEq50VmYm4
- Glooscap First Nation secures financing for a wind farm in Nova Scotia: https://ow.ly/KQTN50VmYpO
- Ottawa is to put $11 million into Indigenous energy programs in six provinces and territories: https://ow.ly/luE850VmYw9
- Hydro Québec will increase investments in First Nation and Inuit-based energy infrastructure projects: https://ow.ly/vSva50VmYvy
- The Boston Bar First Nation in BC is looking into building a geothermal power plant and green hydrogen project: https://ow.ly/X2Ro50VmYnj
- A Mi’kmaq community in NB seeks proposals for microgrid projects that will cut emissions and reduce reliance on the province’s grid system: https://ow.ly/xpWN50Vou16
Alliance supports Global Energy Show
The Alliance is proud to partner with Canada’s national energy event, Global Energy Show Canada, taking place June 10-12 at Calgary.
Will you be one of the more than 30,000 delegates? Do visit us while you’re there.
- Read this story: https://ow.ly/S6Cn50VmYwK
- Watch this video: https://ow.ly/M4oE50VmMJN
- And register here: https://ow.ly/OKHw50VmMGR
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- Meet Woodfibre LNG’s new CEO, Luke Schauerte, who was previously with LNG Canada: ‘We’re going to be here for the next 40 years’ and ‘We’re doing it net zero.’ https://ow.ly/scvL50VmX7J
- Alaska LNG strikes preliminary deal with a Taiwan state company to invest in the US$44-billion Alaska project, and to buy LNG from it: https://ow.ly/s6IA50VmfSj
- How Canada could expedite the regulatory process for resource projects while honouring Indigenous rights and maintaining high environmental standards: https://ow.ly/LIfN50VmWx4
- Study shows US LNG can ‘significantly’ lower global greenhouse-gas emissions compared to other fuels: ly/cHOf50VlFBV
- And our Canadian LNG will be cleaner than current US LNG: ly/Xqjt50VlFBU
- Blueberry River First Nations approves natural-gas permits for Petronas, a 25% partner in LNG Canada: https://ow.ly/6LHV50VmaQR
- Greek-flagged LNG carrier is to deliver Australian LNG to LNG Canada soon, to cool and test plant equipment: https://ow.ly/cVro50Vlr8B
EVENTS
- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, East Coast business forum, April 8, Halifax: https://ow.ly/xLuN50V5jiv
- Canadian Energy Executive Association, Women in Energy lunch, April 22, Calgary: https://ow.ly/2yO850Vp4xS
- Nation2Nation Women’s Gathering, April 24-25, Kitimat: https://ow.ly/A8yo50SYpkv
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition, 8th annual conference, April 27–29, Toronto: https://ow.ly/R27450UV5Lr
- Canada Powered by Women, inaugural summit, April 29, Toronto: https://ow.ly/llqS50V8mQP
- Canada Powered by Women, signature event, May 6, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/5p1p50Vp4BF
- National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, Indigenous Prosperity Forum, May 7-8, Gatineau PQ. https://ow.ly/Ib2K50UyQ70
- Canada Powered by Women, signature event, May 9, Calgary: https://ow.ly/n0Bl50Vp4nz
- Clean Energy Association of BC, Generate 2025, May 12-13, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/ma1R50UUlgh
- First Nations Power Authority, ninth annual Indigenous Clean Energy Forum, June 4-5, Calgary: https://ow.ly/EtUy50V8mmW
- Global Energy Show Canada, June 10-12, Calgary: https://ow.ly/f6lS50Uk1zW
- Ninth Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference, June 18-20, Nanaimo: https://ow.ly/tZl650USCI8
- Ninth annual Nation2Nation forum, Oct. 21-23, Terrace BC: https://ow.ly/EZNl50V0s9f
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