Fossil fuel expansion is contrary to the national interest, says the David Suzuki Foundation.
VANCOUVER — UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES, Thursday November 13, 2025
Prime Minister Carney skipped the Leaders’ Summit before COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to deal another blow to the climate by announcing that the federal government will fast-track the American-owned Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia.
“These major projects are supposed to be nation-building, but expanding fossil fuel infrastructure is not in the national interest. It will contribute significantly to declining health of people living in Canada, and to climate change in the form of wildfires, smoke and other weather-related extremes,” said David Suzuki Foundation executive director Pierre Iachetti. “To champion these harmful projects over projects that would advance Canada’s climate resiliency, while labelling them as ‘nation building,’ is an insult to all people living in Canada.”
The Foundation emphasized the real opportunity and need for the federal government to support an east-west grid powered by renewable energy. Today, the prime minister indicated that federal support would be available for connecting provincial grids; however, the North Coast transmission line misses the mark. It is primarily intended to service the American-owned Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas terminal, instead of using that capacity to provide affordable clean electricity to heat and cool homes and to power businesses in British Columbia.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of last week’s federal budget, which doubles down on subsidies for liquefied natural gas, back-tracking on Canada’s commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. This while world leaders and delegates are gathered in Belém, Brazil, for the COP30 climate summit to discuss ways to advance the global commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.
“Canada’s continued support for fossil fuel projects not only undermines our influence at COP30, but it also risks breaching the International Court of Justice’s ruling confirming states are legally bound to prevent activities that worsen climate change. It is also a violation of free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous nations,” said Janelle Lapointe, senior adviser, Indigenous Strategy at the David Suzuki Foundation. “Environment Minister Julie Minister Dabrusin said she looks forward to turning climate ambition into implementation of a low-carbon future. Fast-tracking a fossil fuel project contradicts this statement.”
In October, the Foundation released a report titled “Running on Fumes: B.C. LNG’s Overhyped Promises, Risky Future and Public Costs,” which revealed the truth behind doubling down on liquefied natural gas: Offshored profits, few jobs, higher energy costs and ignored environmental damages.
“Liquefied natural gas expansion projects are designed to benefit foreign interests while local communities suffer,” Lapointe said. “Real reconciliation means land restitution, renewable energy and community power. This isn’t what we’re seeing here. Investing in liquefied natural gas is investing in the past, when we should be building a safe climate future for all. Contrary to industry claims, LNG is not a low-emissions or net-zero fuel, even if terminals are electrified. It’s a fossil fuel, and burning fossil fuels is the main cause of climate change.”
The prime minister announced a total of seven additional projects for fast-tracking, including an Iqaluit hydro project, BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line project, the Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor and three mining projects.
“How will the government make sure nature is not the price we pay for resource-extraction projects? On the heels of a federal budget that left nature funding in limbo and included laws like the Building Canada Act, which allow environmental protections to be circumvented, Canada’s nature commitments should be top of mind for our leaders. Cutting corners on environmental safeguards is a costly mistake,” said Erin Roger, nature director at the David Suzuki Foundation.
“It’s good to see a local clean energy project in Iqaluit making the cut, but doubling down on fossil fuels is a dangerous distraction. We need the federal government to support an east-west grid and stop wasting taxpayer money on dead-end fossil fuel projects,” Iachetti said.
While global momentum toward renewable electricity and electrification is increasing, and the International Energy Agency recognizes a global LNG supply glut, the federal government should be focusing on projects that position Canada for the race to a net-zero future and set us on a path to economic prosperity. That does not mean fossil fuel expansion or pipelines, as has been proposed by the Alberta government. Building an east-west electricity grid, accelerating electrification of the economy and improving efficiency will not only make electricity more affordable for Canadians, but will also create tens of thousands of good jobs and support key sectors like aluminum and steel.
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For more information or interviews, please contact:
Rosie Rattray, rrattray@davidsuzuki.org, 416.570.3728
About methane:
Methane, an invisible yet potent greenhouse gas, is the main component of liquefied natural gas, with leaks occurring at every stage of the process. Recent footage obtained by the Foundation revealed ongoing and significant releases of methane and hydrocarbon pollution into the atmosphere from the fossil fuel industry. This video evidence confirms emissions from oil and gas companies remain uncontrolled and widespread. To request access to the video footage, please contact Rosie Rattray at rrattray@davidsuzuki.org.