Our newsletter, 12 March 2026
Natural gas and LNG vital for BC finances
Our latest blog: The province of BC is having trouble paying the bills right now, with revenues falling behind the pace of expenditures. But one of the few bright spots in our government’s finances is natural gas and LNG.
Over the next three years, provincial natural-gas revenues are forecast to increase by 66% to almost $1.6 billion.
“While the province continues to work to get a handle on its finances, it can count on natural gas, and the many First Nations and communities that participate in the industry, to warm the fiscal coffers and keep the lights on in government buildings across BC.”
- Read it here: https://bit.ly/4daNkm5
(The photo above is the LNG carrier Diamond Gas Crystal, due to arrive at Japan March 15, carrying LNG from LNG Canada. The vessel is named in honour of Crystal Smith, former elected chief councillor of the Haisla Nation, who was pivotal in advancing Cedar LNG. She is a former chair of our Alliance, and now is its special advisor on external relations.)
Cedar LNG calls on local firms
Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG project (graphic above) announces it has awarded more than 90% of all onshore construction contracts to local and Indigenous businesses and partnerships.
“We are looking forward to very productive construction seasons in 2026 and 2027.
“Sharing opportunities through construction and into operations with the local community, particularly local and Indigenous owned businesses and partnerships, will remain a top priority for us moving forward and we are honoured to see the amount of these contractors helping make Cedar LNG a reality.:
- Read more: https://bit.ly/46EuhfY
Natural gas crown jewel of BC economy
Alliance friend Stewart Muir, CEO of Resource Works, offered a deep perspective on BC’s natural gas and the LNG produced from it.
Calling gas the “crown jewel” of BC’s economy, he looked at how BC built one of the world’s great energy systems, and why it still isn’t finished. And how LNG at the coast begins with the huge Montney gas play of natural gas and propane, butane, and condensate — “natural gasoline.”
“The Montney is real. The Asian demand is real. . . . BC’s Pacific location gives Canadian exporters a genuine structural advantage over Gulf Coast competitors. The resource, the geography, and the market are all present. . . .
“But the value of that resource can only be fully realized when we work together — producers, midstream companies, First Nations partners, governments, and organizations like ours — to build the trust and understanding that durable development requires.”
- Read it here: https://bit.ly/4b2PVf6 And more: https://bit.ly/4liI9Tk
Indigenous Clean Energy
- Ottawa puts up $1.5 million for Indigenous-led Brandywine hydrogen project in BC: https://bit.ly/3N32sYc (Photo above)
- The BC Environmental Assessment Office invites public comment, from March 17 to April 16, on the m.ah a temEEwuh solar project near Logan Lake BC. (A partner is the Oregon Jack Creek Band.) https://ow.ly/WrnK50YrV1n
- Everwind gets US funds to start on four wind farms in Nova Scotia; Membertou First Nation is a majority owner: https://bit.ly/4cXn9z5
- Eleven First Nations support planned Ontario power line: https://bit.ly/4ude4sn
- The federal government invites public comment on the proposed Piikani Wind Project in Alberta: https://bit.ly/4sDKOcN About the project: https://bit.ly/4rjVoo6
- A federal loan guarantee helps Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation to acquire an equity interest of nearly 20% in the Chatham-to-Lakeshore electricity transmission project in Ontario: https://bit.ly/4ulNTQb
EVENTS
- Canada Powered by Women, Powering Prosperity event: Energy and economy shaping Canada’s future:
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- April 8, Toronto: https://ow.ly/W88X50Y1PuB
- April 15, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/RonI50Y1PA9
- Indigenous Works webinar on practical ways to attract and retain Indigenous talent. March 26: https://bit.ly/4baD8r7
- National Coalition of Chiefs, Clean Energy Summit, April 20-22, Calgary: https://ow.ly/ZkQ250Y5JO5
- Clean Energy BC, Women in Clean Energy conference, April 23, Vancouver: https://bit.ly/4rgfEXJ
- Nation2Nation Women’s Gathering, April 23-24, Prince George: https://ow.ly/sBxu50XsTSZ
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition, 9th annual conference, April 29-May 1, Toronto: https://ow.ly/baN350Xz7gU
- Public Policy Forum’s Canada Growth Summit, May 7, Toronto: https://ow.ly/ikCs50WGyYr
- Indigenous Forward Summit (West), May 13-14, Calgary: https://ow.ly/pgku50XrhQ7
- Indigenous Forward Summit (East), May 13-14, Orillia ON: https://ow.ly/Wpxk50Y5Kai
- Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty Symposium, May 19-20 at Albuquerque NM. Alliance CEO Karen Ogen well be on a panel on LNG. https://bit.ly/4bCjvcQ
- Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference, June 3-5, Nanaimo: https://bit.ly/4asjsQE
- Global Energy Show Canada, June 9-11, Calgary: https://ow.ly/NnlW50XffWC
- Energy Influencers Conference (at the Global Energy Show above): https://bit.ly/4aRfBvd
- International Pipeline Conference and Expo, Sept. 21-25, Calgary: https://ow.ly/NmxS50Y5Kag
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(Posted here 15 March 2026)
