BC is days away from shipping its first liquefied natural gas export from Kitimat, launching what could be nearly 200 LNG tanker voyages annually. This marks Canada’s entry into the global LNG export market.
International experts caution that Canada should heed the lessons from other exporters. Australia experienced a tripling of domestic gas prices after LNG exports began, causing economic strain for households and manufacturers. BC has already seen gas prices rise sharply, with further hikes expected through 2026.
Environmental concerns center on methane leaks during LNG processing and shipping, which significantly worsen climate impacts. Local communities fear that increased tanker traffic will bring noise, pollution, risks to marine mammals, and disruption of Indigenous fishing and harvesting.
Meanwhile, demand from Asia, the largest LNG market, is weakening. China’s LNG imports have dropped sharply, and Japan is reselling LNG volumes due to declining domestic demand. This raises the risk of oversupply and stranded assets for new exporters like Canada.
BC’s LNG project has also received substantial government subsidies and tax breaks, sparking debate over the true costs to taxpayers and the environment. As Canada expands its LNG exports, balancing economic opportunities with environmental and social risks remains a key challenge.
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