Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said her government has a “political responsibility” to help wean Europe off energy dependence on Russia.
Freeland, speaking to reporters in Saint John, New Brunswick, said the federal government must step up to support its allies in the face of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
The comments are the strongest yet from a Canadian official on support for building new export infrastructure along Canada’s east coast to supply Europe with liquefied natural gas.
“I think it’s a political responsibility for us as a country to support our allies with energy security,” Freeland told reporters, adding that Canada is fortunate to have abundant energy supplies.
European countries are going through a “tough time” at the moment as they move away from Russian oil and gas, Freeland said, adding that he discussed LNG projects directly with his German “counterparts”.
“I think it’s very important for Canada to step up and say, we’re going to help you, we’re going to help replace that energy,” Freeland said. “So yes, I think there is a role for the federal government, working with provincial governments, working with the private sector, working with our European allies to make this happen.”
Freeland was asked specifically about a Saint John facility owned by Spanish energy company Repsol SA, which has said it is studying the possibility of building liquefaction capacity at the site. Freeland has said that she is “very familiar” with the Repsol project, but also with other proposals to build new LNG terminals and that “this is not the time to choose specific projects”.
The Repsol project is widely considered the most likely to be operational quickly because it is based on existing infrastructure.
Freeland told reporters he will meet with energy industry leaders on his current trip across Atlantic Canada.