Statement by Chrystia Freeland​

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When we won the first fight against Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, in 2019, I knew it was time to turn our national attention towards building big projects faster, to create more jobs here at home.

 

I am proud to have since laid the groundwork to turn Canada into an energy superpower through major economic investment tax credits, including $12 billion for carbon capture, and the $15 billion Canada Growth Fund, which is helping Canadian clean tech innovators scale-up their ideas. This clean growth plan is already attracting billions in private investment, strengthening Canada’s energy security, and creating good jobs that pay robust, union wages.

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If I become Prime Minister, I will double down on getting Canadian energy and resources to market, for fair value, to create more good jobs today and tomorrow.

Here’s how:

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1. Double electricity generation and supercharge our electricity grid, in a way that respects and leverages each region’s unique natural resource wealth and energy needs. As part of this commitment, I will consult Canadians, including the provinces, territories, industry, and labour unions, about the previously published oil and gas emissions cap.

    

2. Improve energy affordability, reliability, and sovereignty by building intra-provincial transmission lines, connecting our provinces and territories. My government would also provide low-cost financing to utilities to help them mitigate any rate changes, keeping electricity bills low.

    

3. Convene interested provinces and territories, and consult with Indigenous Peoples, on building West-East pipelines, to reduce our reliance on the United States and secure our energy sovereignty. If a community is supportive of pursuing this infrastructure, my government will be there to support its advancement. Regional perspectives and consent matters to Canadians.

    

4. Cut the red tape that slows down mining, energy, powerline, and infrastructure project approvals, including reducing inefficient, duplicative approval processes. My government will allow Cabinet to fast-track 10 regionally important projects, of which 3 must be critical mineral projects, for faster approvals each year.

    

5. Buy Canadian and Hire Canadian. My government will require all companies receiving federal support for their major projects to Buy Canadian goods and services and Hire Canadian workers.

    

6. Accelerate mineral exploration and open more mines and processing facilities, faster. My government will reduce regulatory timelines, create an appealing business tax environment, and enhance incentives through the Investment Tax Credits and the Canada Growth Fund.

    

7. Export liquified natural gas to help our allies with energy security. My government will unlock opportunity in Canada’s vast natural gas reserves by breaking down regulatory barriers, building infrastructure, and making more clean, reliable electricity to produce more LNG for export. This will create jobs at home and help our trading partners displace their power generation from coal, thereby reducing global emissions.

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As Prime Minister, I will work with industry, labour unions, and provinces and territories, to make Canada an energy superpower. I will boost our energy production and accelerate the deployment of clean technologies, like carbon capture, utilization, and storage. It is a national imperative that we do so if we are to secure our energy sovereignty, diversify exports beyond the U.S., and most importantly, protect Canadians and the Canadian economy.