Canada must respond with clarity and certainty to Europe’s need for energy security, Business Council says

Letter from Goldy Hyder to the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada regarding German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Canada this month.

Prime Minister,

When you welcome German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Canada this month, much of the world will be watching. Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine has triggered an energy crisis across Europe, leading Germany to look to Canada as a source of liquefied natural gas and other critical resources. Canada must respond with a sense of urgency.

In New Brunswick last week, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland said it is important for Canada to help Europe reduce its dependence on Russian oil and gas. Specifically, she noted “energy security today is a question of security – full stop,” adding “it is a political responsibility for us as a country to support our allies with energy security.”

To avoid any delays, Canada’s business leaders urge your government to designate as being in the national interest energy and critical mineral projects that can assist our allies and reduce their dependence on higher emitting forms of energy. This designation should encompass a commitment to expedite regulatory approvals for such projects.

By way of comparison, Spain has committed to Germany it will increase its energy export capacity by 20-30 per cent within a year. Prime Minister António Costa of Portugal, in turn, has stated: “Germany can count 100 per cent on Portugal’s commitment to the building of a gas pipeline. Today for natural gas, tomorrow for green hydrogen.”

This is the clarity and certainty of commitment that our allies are providing. Chancellor Scholz and the German people deserve no less from Canada.

Yours very truly,

Goldy Hyder
President & CEO