Canada should prioritize low-carbon projects in “nation building” efforts

Press Release

September 12, 2025

Accelerating the development of clean electricity, low-carbon energy, and critical minerals projects will strengthen Canada’s economic autonomy and competitiveness.

Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, made the following statement in response to the federal government’s announcement of projects in the national interest.

“Amid rising costs and volatile trade dynamics, an accelerating global energy transition, and increasingly costly and disruptive climate-related disasters, it matters how Canada defines ‘nation-building projects’ and which types of development it prioritizes.

“Accelerating the development of clean electricity, low-carbon energy, and critical minerals projects will strengthen Canada’s economic autonomy and competitiveness, fight climate change, and support Indigenous leadership and economic opportunities.

“We’re pleased to see some of these considerations reflected in the government’s initial major projects list, and we hope to see more clean energy projects prioritized moving forward. The prospect of fast-tracking oil and gas projects, including LNG, without mitigating emissions impacts through electrification or other means represents a risk to Canada’s emissions goals. Ultimately, the most effective way to enhance Canada’s low-carbon competitiveness is swiftly implementing strong, coherent policy to accelerate clean growth across the country, help Canadian companies reduce emissions, and make our communities and infrastructure more resilient to climate-induced disasters.

“We look forward to the forthcoming climate competitiveness strategy and urge all governments to take swift action to accomplish these goals. In the coming months, the Institute will undertake further analysis on how major projects and infrastructure can complement Canadian policy to achieve net zero.”

RESOURCES

Media statement | As Parliament returns, protecting Canadians and our economy from climate change must be a top priority

Op-ed | Connecting regional electricity grids should be Canada’s top nation-building project

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