A new poll commissioned by think tank SecondStreet.org shows the vast majority of Canadians have much better business sense than Justin Trudeau and his NDP/Liberal coalition government..In August, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and a delegation of business leaders from Europe's largest economy came to Canada to talk about energy, specifically liquefied natural gas (LNG)..The German group wanted to buy the LNG to alleviate the soaring cost of the gas in their country, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, eventually transitioning off Russian gas completely and relying on Canada as a supplier..However, Trudeau said “there has never been a strong business case” for sending natural gas to Europe.."We are looking right now and companies are looking at whether or not the new context makes it a worthwhile business case to make those investments," Trudeau said, adding the federal government would be willing to ease regulatory hurdles to assist its allies.."But there needs to be a business case.".In response, Mario Lévesque, CEO of the Quebec-based oil and gas company Utica Resource, called out Trudeau, saying the rationale for exporting natural gas from Quebec is "crystal clear," and would generate "tens of billions in royalties and taxes" for Ottawa. .The SecondStreet.org survey, conducted by Leger, shows Lévesque is in good company..Almost three-quarters of survey respondents, 72%, support the idea of Canada developing and exporting more oil and gas resources so the world doesn’t have to buy from Russia. .Only 12% either somewhat oppose or strongly oppose exporting LNG..Demographically, the strongest support was from those aged 55-plus (81%); geographically, the highest support came from Albertans (85%)..More Canadians trust the expertise of private enterprise to determine the viability of exporting LNG (54%) than the federal government (16%)..“Developments around alternative energy sources are exciting for consumers, but studies suggest natural gas and oil will be used for decades to come,” said SecondStreet.org president Colin Craig..“Policy makers would be wise to consider the positive role that Canada could play not only in displacing Russian oil and gas, but how the enormous tax revenues from such sales could be used to help develop technology to reduce emissions.”.Canada’s energy sector responded to Trudeau’s lack of business sense by taking out a full-page ad saying there was in fact a business case and Canada should step up and help her allies, adding what's stopping Canada from selling energy to Europe are government roadblocks. .The Trudeau government implemented regulations and restrictions to ensure energy sector projects are slowed down or stopped altogether. .Bill C-69, or the anti-pipelines bill, gave the federal government additional powers to delay or scrap Canadian energy projects based on factors such as so-called climate change..The Modern Miracle Network, an energy sector advocacy group, sent an open letter to Trudeau to address concerns about his government’s treatment of Canadian energy producers..The letter highlighted that Canadian energy producers would be capable of exporting energy to Europe to help replace energy imports from hostile nations such as Russia, if not for Liberal legislation interfering with the energy industry’s ability to build the necessary infrastructure to export LNG..“While we remain well-positioned to supply Europe’s energy needs, years of government interference and politicized restrictions have prevented our sector from building the infrastructure needed to export large volumes of LNG,” reads the letter..The letter laments the missed opportunity to establish a relationship with Germany and the rest of Europe, to sell them Canadian LNG as the continent attempts to find alternatives to Russian energy..The letter also admonishes Trudeau's claim there is no business case. .“If Canada has no business case for LNG exports to Europe it is hard to imagine how any country would,” it reads. “Canada has ample natural gas resources in many regions of this country. We have an enormous advantage with closer shipping routes to Northern Europe than international competition.”.The Modern Miracle Network’s letter also calls out the Trudeau/Singh cabal for its heavy-handed anti-energy policies and its economic effect..“The impact on investor confidence of anti-oil and gas government policy including expropriations cannot be underestimated.”.Lévesque says LNG reserves in Quebec alone are enough to replace all Russian imports into Germany for 20 to 40 years and there is definitely a business case. .“As Mr. Trudeau well knows, several buyers in Germany and elsewhere in Europe are looking at options to secure natural gas.".“Imagine if the world had a choice,” added Craig. “Buy Russian oil and gas and their government would continue to use the money to buy tanks and rockets or you could buy from Canada and the government would use some of the money to help develop technology to reduce emissions.”.*The online poll was conducted by Leger for SecondStreet.org between September 30 – October 2, 2022 and included 1,535 Canadians.
