![\"Minister](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/minister-of-energy-hon-tim-hodgson-signs-pipline-in-prince-george-bc-1.jpg\")
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Minister of Energy, Hon. Tim Hodgson signs pipeline in Prince George B.C.<\/p>\n
FORT McMURRAY \u2014 Canada\u2019s energy minister says Ottawa is moving to get major energy projects built while seeking new international customers for Canadian oil and gas as the country looks to reduce its dependence on the United States.<\/p>\n
Tim Hodgson visited Fort McMurray to tour the oilsands, marking the first visit by a federal minister to the oilsands in more than a decade.<\/p>\n
The visit comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney\u2019s government seeks to diversify Canada\u2019s trading relationships in the wake of unprecedented U.S. tariffs and an escalating trade dispute with Canada\u2019s largest trading partner.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Harvard Media, Hodgson said energy and natural resources have become increasingly important as Canada navigates the dispute.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand we are in a trade war,\u201d Hodgson said. \u201cOur very best cards are our energy and natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hodgson said the federal government is focused on increasing Canada\u2019s energy and critical minerals capacity while finding customers beyond the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the prime minister has said, we need to sell our energy and natural resources to all of our allies, not just the one we share a border with,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hodgson pointed to several projects he says demonstrate development is already moving beyond the planning stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaylor to Gordondale diluent pipeline, shovels in the ground today,\u201d Hodgson said. \u201cThe $4-billion expansion of the Sunrise pipeline system, shovels in the ground today.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said work is also underway to optimize the Trans Mountain pipeline system to add another 300,000 barrels of capacity.<\/p>\n
Hodgson said Ottawa is also working toward getting a proposed new one-million-barrel-per-day pipeline to the West Coast listed by Oct. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re focused on building,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The minister said the changing international trade environment is creating opportunities to find new markets for Canadian energy.<\/p>\n
Hodgson pointed to European utilities signing agreements for Canadian liquefied natural gas, along with investments by companies including Pembina, Enbridge and Shell.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got customers pounding on the door as I go around the world, whether it\u2019s Japan or India or Europe,\u201d Hodgson said. \u201cWhat I hear over and over again is people want what we have. They know we are a reliable supplier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hodgson said international customers also recognize Canada will not use energy as a tool of coercion and said Canadian oil and gas production benefits from environmental standards and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.<\/p>\n
The federal government has also been working to accelerate the regulatory process for major projects.<\/p>\n
Hodgson pointed to the Build Canada Act and Ottawa\u2019s work with provinces toward a \u201cone project, one review\u201d approach.<\/p>\n
He cited the approval of an LNG project in British Columbia as an example, saying provincial approval was followed by federal approval about 30 minutes later.<\/p>\n
Hodgson said Ottawa sees further oilsands development proceeding alongside efforts to reduce the industry\u2019s environmental impact, including carbon capture, utilization and storage.<\/p>\n
He said the federal government\u2019s agreement with Alberta envisions oilsands growth and emissions-reduction projects moving forward together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat this government is doing is it\u2019s supporting the growth of the oil sands in an environmentally responsible way, and it\u2019s bringing all of Canada along,\u201d Hodgson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeam Canada is with the oil sands today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hodgson said growing Canada\u2019s energy sector would benefit both Alberta and the country as Ottawa works to strengthen the domestic economy and expand access to markets outside the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing support for the growth of our energy sector at highs across the country,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s good for Alberta. That\u2019s good for Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n
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