Mark Carney's liberals imposed themselves in the Canadian elections of April 28 thanks to two promises: standing for Donald Trump's attacks and underpinning the country's economy. Reducing considerably the dependence towards the US market and improving the conditions for the national industry are the primary axes of the liberal plan. The Government has eliminated almost all interprovincial commercial barriers and stressed that Canada has 15 free trade agreements with 50 countries, in addition to implementing various support for companies. However, the strategy contemplates the energy sector as the great lever of change, through a back that has not received in five years. «It's time to turn Canada an energy superpower, both in clean and conventional energies,» said Mark Carney in his electoral victory speech. Carney has pointed out that his government will continue to support green (wind, solar generation, hydroelectric) projects, but he has also struck his hand to hydrocarbons firms. It is a significant change of tone, since during Justin Trudeau's years in power, the discussion about these projects was focused mainly on environmental rules and consultations with indigenous communities. Canada is the world's fourth producer of oil and the fifth of liquefied natural gas. However, 80% of oil production is sent to the United States and almost 100% of gas exports have the same destination. The objective, therefore, is to look for other markets. Several analysts have agreed that, although the demand for hydrocarbons will decrease in the coming decades, there is a too succulent cake that interests Canada while this does not happen. At the end of June, the liberals achieved the approval of the initiative of Law C-5 to accelerate the construction of large infrastructure works considered of national interest. The document includes, among other points, environmental evaluation processes and consultations with faster communities. Hydrocarbons appear in this plan. In turn, Carney met with leaders of companies in the sector on June 1. «Our country lives a critical moment. The need to make Canada an integral energy superpower has never been more crucial,» he said in the meeting. Business leaders thanked Carney's interest, although they stressed that they require more concrete actions. One of the points on the table is to reduce the carbon emission stops of these industries. The attitude of the prime minister is seen with good eyes especially in Alberta, the largest oil producing province, where speeches related to the separation of the Canadian Federation have even sounded.
Projects
About twenty liquefied natural gas projects have been proposed in the country in the last 15 years, but they have not specified, except for the one located in Kitimat (British Columbia), which began operating a few weeks ago. In this environment of new relations with Ottawa, six projects could accelerate its construction and implementation, with an investment that would be around 109,000 million Canadian dollars (about 68,000 million euros). In the case of pipelines, hope on the part of the oil sector has also resurfaced as a result of Prime Minister's strategy. Carney declared on July 6 to the newspaper Calgary Herald that it is «very likely» that a new line that communicates to Alberta with the coast of British Columbia is included in the list of projects considered of national importance. Carney has stressed that, despite the modifications to the law, consultations with indigenous communities and environmental considerations will continue to have weight. The prime minister has remarked that he seeks to reconcile environmental care and economic development. Will the former Governor of the Central Bank be able to achieve the square of the circle? Here you can consult the latest letters of the correspondent
