Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson stated that the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Quebec is not currently considered a project of national interest. He emphasized that the scale of the project does not warrant immediate attention in that regard. Hodgson made these remarks during an event in Montreal where Canada announced a $22 million investment to enhance the country’s battery production capacity.
Marinvest Energy Canada has been advocating for a potential natural gas pipeline and export facility near Baie-Comeau, Quebec. This initiative coincided with the Liberal government’s introduction of legislation aimed at expediting approvals for significant projects. The federal government passed this law in June, enabling faster authorization processes for infrastructure and energy projects deemed to be in the national interest.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press revealed that senior federal officials had praised the proposed LNG facility, highlighting its ability to export significant quantities of LNG to Europe. Representatives from Marinvest, a subsidiary of a Norwegian energy company, had engaged with officials from the Natural Resources Department to discuss the project.
Minister Hodgson mentioned that Marinvest is welcome to further discussions and would undergo standard evaluation procedures like any other project. He clarified that he had not personally met with the company’s representatives. Hodgson also stressed the necessity of Quebec government support for any LNG project, emphasizing the importance of involvement from affected First Nation communities.
While Quebec Minister Christine Fréchette’s office refrained from commenting on the specific proposal, they acknowledged the province’s responsibility to thoroughly assess projects of national significance, particularly in light of economic disruptions caused by the Trump administration. Hodgson underscored the need for rigorous examination and indicated that any LNG project in Quebec would require support from both the provincial government and Indigenous communities.
In a related context, the Quebec government had previously rejected a comparable fossil fuel project in the Saguenay region in 2021, following widespread opposition, including from Indigenous groups.
