The federal government has committed $200 million over three years to support British Columbia’s Woodfibre LNG project, a move aimed at diversifying Canada’s energy exports. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson announced the funding in Vancouver, emphasizing Canada’s strategic advantage along the Pacific coastline. “We will turn geographic advantage into conditions to attract investment,” Hodgson said, highlighting the project’s role in creating jobs and fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Woodfibre LNG, located near Squamish, is about 75 percent complete, with exports expected to begin in over a year. The federal investment will boost the project’s annual export capacity by nearly 25 percent, from 2.1 million to 2.6 million tonnes of LNG. CEO Luke Schauerte noted the project’s economic impact, including $13.6 billion in construction-related output and over 52,000 job-years created so far.
Criticism of the investment came from Marc Lee of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, who questioned the need for government subsidies in a competitive global market. B.C. Greens MLA-elect Jeremy Valeriote also opposed the funding, citing climate risks and recent flooding in the region. Despite the backlash, B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson praised the project as a testament to the province’s ability to build large-scale infrastructure.