The chief executives of some of Canada’s largest energy companies have urged the country’s political parties to declare a Canadian energy crisis and designate key energy projects as being in the “national interest.” This would expedite reforms, planning, and the construction of new oil and gas pipelines, as well as LNG terminals.
In an open letter to Canada’s political leaders, 14 CEOs from the largest pipeline and oil and gas companies outlined how Canada can respond to escalating global energy security challenges and the urgent need for pragmatic energy strategies.
“We are at a turning point in Canada’s history,” the CEOs stated. “Public support is growing for the urgent expansion of our energy sector and the development of infrastructure, including new oil and natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals, to boost Canada’s energy exports.”
The CEOs emphasized that Canadians increasingly recognize the importance of using the country’s abundant energy resources to defend its sovereignty, contribute to global stability, and enhance Canada’s economic competitiveness and prosperity.
By declaring a Canadian energy crisis and identifying key projects as “national interest,” the federal government could leverage emergency powers to accelerate the regulatory changes necessary to expand the oil and natural gas sector, the executives argued.
They also noted that to successfully build new infrastructure, Canada’s federal and provincial leaders must simplify regulations, set firm deadlines for project approvals, increase production, attract investment, and promote Indigenous co-investment opportunities.
In response to growing demand for alternative export routes, particularly for oil that has traditionally flowed south to the U.S., Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced that all pipeline permits crossing the province would be “pre-approved,” regardless of direction.
“We encourage all provinces and the federal government to do the same,” Moe wrote on X.
The U.S. tariff threat has served as a wake-up call for Canadian policymakers, highlighting the potential consequences of abandoning Alberta-to-coast pipeline projects that could have diversified Canada’s oil and gas exports.