France’s support for Ukraine is undermined by its purchase of Russian LNG. Quebec should rethink its opposition to gas pipelines and ports
Published Dec 05, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 3 minute read
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The LNG Canada export terminal under construction in Kitimat, B.C. Photo by Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press filesArticle content
By Stewart Muir
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According to Bloomberg, so far this year France “has received more LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Moscow than in any full year since supplies began in 2018.” Though France is a NATO ally fully committed to resisting Russian aggression against Ukraine, her reliance on Russian LNG helps replenish the Kremlin’s war chest, thus directly funding the very aggression she is trying to defeat. Many nations rely on Russian gas, but France’s position is especially troubling, given her significant military investments to counter Russian advances.
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This paradox calls for reflection, not just on France’s actions, but on choices made closer to home, particularly in Quebec, which of course has strong cultural ties to France. Quebec had the opportunity to be a critical supplier of clean, ethical energy to Europe. Instead, politics won out over principle and the Énergie Saguenay LNG export project, which had initially garnered neutral regulatory feedback and private-sector backing, was ultimately rejected as political and environmental pressures mounted.
The case for LNG from Quebec proceeds from the fact that the province is connected by pipeline to western Canada’s abundant gas reserves. It also has its own gas reserves, in the same shale formation as Pennsylvania, which some believe could be developed if only the province would reverse its ban on fracking. Quebec’s Atlantic coast combines well with demonstrated Canadian energy know-how and the province has a track record of being able to attract capital for major projects.
Instead of pursuing the possibility Quebec could help supply its francophone ally with alternatives to Russian gas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instead declared there was “no business case” for LNG exports from Eastern Canada — which was widely interpreted as being the result of a political calculation to avoid controversy in Quebec, where fossil fuel projects face fierce opposition.
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You might think the hottest places in hell would be reserved for leaders who prioritize political convenience over global security. But environmental activists celebrated the rejection of Énergie Saguenay as a win for the climate. Was it? The federal review did initially flag concerns such as marine mammal impacts and greenhouse gas emissions but stopped short of condemning the project. This left room for improvements and a path forward. But mounting political pressures eventually shifted the narrative, leading to Ottawa’s 2022 decision to reject the project, citing the country’s environmental goals.
Meanwhile, Canada has become a world leader in addressing critical LNG-related issues, pioneering methane emission reductions and aligning global climate strategies with local targets. On the West Coast, projects like LNG Canada and Woodfibre LNG are advancing under strict environmental scrutiny, demonstrating how Canada can responsibly produce LNG while addressing climate objectives. Énergie Saguenay presumably could have done the same — and provided Europe with a cleaner, more secure alternative to Russian gas.
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Quebec’s reluctance to balance its green ambitions with global realities reflects a troubling global pattern. Aspiring to a renewable future is admirable but ignoring the immediate consequences of creating an energy vacuum is not. Quebec left the door open for Russia to fill the LNG gap, undermining both environmental progress and geopolitical stability.
France and Quebec share more than language; they share a world view shaped by commitments to progress and diplomacy. Yet on energy their paths have diverged. Despite its renewable energy ambitions, France understands the need for a secure and diverse energy portfolio. Quebec, by contrast, appears paralyzed by fear of controversy. Its rejection of Énergie Saguenay was not just a blow to Canadian energy but a missed opportunity to stand in solidarity with an ally.
Revisiting decisions like Énergie Saguenay is not about capitulating to fossil fuels. It’s about addressing the energy trilemma: how to balance affordability, security and acceptability. With its vast resources and world-class environmental standards, Canada is uniquely positioned to supply ethical energy to a world in need. Turning away from this opportunity is a failure of leadership, not economics.
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As Canadians, we pride ourselves on standing for what is right even when it’s difficult. The rejection of Énergie Saguenay was a failure of courage. The question now is whether we have the moral fibre to correct this mistake and reclaim our place as leaders in the global energy conversation. Europe and history are watching.
Stewart Muir is founder and executive director of Resource Works.
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Publish date : 2024-12-05 03:02:00
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