Energy minister Hodgson says Canada needs ‘infrastructure that gets our energy to tidewater’

The federal government is pushing for more energy development across the country, but emphasizes that the work on the projects must be done with all proper consultation.

“We need infrastructure that gets our energy to tidewater and to trusted allies — diversifying beyond the US,” he said. To do this, the federal government will fast-track approvals of projects in the “national interest” with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s promised policy of “one project, one review,” less red tape and more certainty, Hodgson said.

Canada’s Minister of Energy Tim Hodgson made the remarks during a conference at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

“Today we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Global economies and markets are volatile. President Trump’s tariffs are disrupting trade, threatening Canadian jobs and industries and rewriting the rules of the game,” Hodgson said.

“We did not ask for this trade war, but if we are going to be in a trade war, we are going to win.”

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In order to win, Hodgson said the Liberal government will work to build Canada into a conventional and clean energy superpower.

“In the new economy we are building, Canada will no longer be defined by delay, we will be defined by delivery.”

To do this, Hodgson says the government will fast-track projects of national interest, meaning there won’t be any more five-year reviews.

Instead, decisions will be made in two years or less.

“Less red tape, more certainty, better outcomes,” Hodgson said. “It’s high time we trade more with people who share our values, not just our borders.”

Chamber encouraged by meeting

Hodgson, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, was only named energy minister on May 13, so his visit to Calgary only 10 days later is good news, said the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“I think having the energy minister come to Calgary, which is really the headquarters of so many energy companies across Canada, so early in the mandate, sets an important tone and we’re quite encouraged by government coming to the table and by industry coming to the table,” said Ruhee Ismail-Teja, vice-president of policy and external affairs, Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

Ismail-Teja says it’s not just the chamber that’s happy with the communication thus far.

“The sector is quite encouraged by the engagement that they’ve had with Minister Hodgson to date, in terms of hearing their concerns, understanding what holdups are related to private capital, some of which are federal policy of course, the Canada-U.S. trade relationship has further exacerbated that.

“We’ll be looking to hear how Canada will be an energy super power and what the federal government is going to do to make sure that we are competitive in an increasingly challenging global landscape.”