Poilievre advocates for revived LNG project in Quebec

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre visited Quebec's Saguenay region on Thursday to support reviving a $14-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. This project had previously been rejected by both the provincial and federal governments due to environmental concerns. Poilievre promised to create "shovel-ready zones" across Canada for resource projects. He believes this will help facilitate major developments like the LNG facility proposed by GNL Québec Inc. The project aimed to transport natural gas from Western Canada, requiring a new 650-kilometre pipeline to connect to the proposed site. Recently, the Quebec government suggested it might reconsider the LNG project to diversify export markets, especially in light of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian imports. Poilievre stated that the policies have shifted views on what is acceptable in Quebec. He emphasized that a Conservative government would expedite the approval process for the LNG project. Poilievre argued that Northern Quebec can liquefy natural gas with fewer emissions, leveraging its hydroelectric resources. Billionaire Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway had once considered investing in the project but pulled out in 2020 over concerns about Canada's political climate. The project's developers have initiated a claim against the Canadian government for significant financial losses following the rejection of their proposal. Poilievre also proposed creating "Canada shovel-ready zones" to streamline permits for various energy projects. He claimed this would reduce the time and money investors spend on legal issues. In response, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson criticized Poilievre’s push for the LNG project. She pointed out that the previous rejection was based on potential environmental harm and lack of support from local Indigenous communities.