Canada's Indigenous Communities Expand Fossil Fuel Ownership

Indigenous communities in Canada are increasing their ownership stakes in major energy infrastructure projects. According to a report from the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), since 2021, these communities have acquired interests in over 5,000 kilometres of operating oil and natural gas pipelines.

The CER notes that Indigenous groups already hold significant collective ownership in clean energy assets, ranking third after governments. However, this growing trend includes increasing ownership of fossil fuel infrastructure.

Communities hold stakes in existing pipelines generating stable revenues, often using government-backed loan guarantees. In liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects such as Cedar LNG and the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG and NeeStaNan LNG facilities, Indigenous nations are more involved from the development stage.

Federal and provincial loan guarantee programs have reduced financing barriers, improving access to capital and supporting greater Indigenous participation in Canada's energy sector.