'Bold action': Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson vows to fast-track infrastructure projects
Canada's energy sector will be defined by delivery, not by delays, Hodgson says in Calgary speech
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Canada’s energy sector will be defined by delivery, not delays.
That was the central message from new federal Liberal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson during his first public appearance in Calgary.
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Just days after being sworn in as a key member of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet, Hodgson delivered an energetic speech Friday to a packed room of industry representatives at the Fairmont Palliser.
Hodgson’s 25-minute address at the event, hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, touted the continued relevance of Canada’s conventional oil and gas sector, while also pledging the newly elected federal government’s commitment to build the country into a clean energy superpower.
“It’s a time for bold action, clear decisions and a renewed spirit for building,” he told the crowd. “No more asking, ‘why build?’ The real question is, ‘how do we get it done?’
“That means breaking apart barriers and cutting through red tape. It also means doing things responsibly the first time, meeting our duty to consult so Indigenous peoples are true partners — and protecting our environment so we don’t have to clean up mistakes later.”
Canadian energy called ‘tool’ for global stability
He said the Liberals intend to fast-track energy infrastructure in the national interest by creating a major federal projects office that will cut review times from five years to two.
Hodgson repeatedly touted making Canadian energy a “tool” for global stability and transformation, adding the government wants to get more product to market while lessening its trade reliance on the United States.
While Canada did not ask for a trade war with the U.S., Hodgson argued it’s a war that Canada will win.
“It’s high time we trade more with people who share our values, not just our borders,” he said.
“That means being able to sell our products to the world. It means expanding our markets, modernizing our infrastructure and creating the conditions to compete and win.”
He also talked about the need to cut Canada’s emissions by investing in methane reduction and carbon capture and storage — he noted the importance of the Pathways Alliance project in northern Alberta — as well as other forms of energy, including nuclear, thermal, hydrogen and renewables.
He also floated the idea of developing an integrated electricity grid that would stretch across the country.
“We have the resources, we have the people, we have the ideas, and we now have a government determined to lead and help unlock the potential of Canadian workers and businesses,” he said.
“We’re better at energy, forestry and mining than most of the world. We do it cleaner, safer and with stronger labour standards and Indigenous rights. So let’s be proud of that and let’s use the revenues to strengthen our economy, fund public services and build the next generation of Canadian prosperity.”
Hodgson has a varied resume that includes high-ranking positions in banking and energy, as well as with Ontario’s electricity provider, Hydro One.
Originally from Winnipeg, he said he was inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces straight out of high school.
“That stint taught me a lot about service, and if you know anyone who has served, you know that it shapes their life forever,” he said.
After a six-year career as a reserve officer, Hodgson entered the investment banking world. Working for Goldman Sachs, he said one of the first — and proudest — deals of his career was on the Alliance pipeline, which delivered natural gas from B.C. to Chicago.
He later served on the board of Calgary-based MEG Energy for three years and then became chair of the Hydro One board of directors, before becoming a special adviser to Carney during his tenure as the governor of the Bank of Canada, during the 2008 financial crisis.
Hodgson promises to repair federal relations with energy sector
While his Markham-Thornhill riding is in suburban Toronto, Hodgson said he’s a “prairie boy” at heart. He said he’s committed to a “clean slate” to help repair a fractured relationship between Ottawa and the energy sector.
“I’m a pragmatist and I’m a businessman — I’m learning to be a politician,” he said. “When I see something that needs changing, I promise you, I will work hard to change it.”
Hodgson’s speech earned plenty of applause and praise from attendees.
Calgary Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Deborah Yedlin, who moderated the event, said she was impressed by the urgency with which the newly minted minister came to Calgary.
“It was a real testament to the minister that he chose to come here so soon after being sworn in to, as he said in the room, reset the relationship between Ottawa and the energy sector,” she told reporters.
“This was clearly a door that was being opened to conversation, to collaboration, to problem solving and to really harnessing the potential of Canada’s energy sector. And I think everybody has walked out feeling very encouraged.”
However, Alberta’s Environment minister was less glowing in her review.
UCP minister Rebecca Schulz said that while Hodgson’s tone was an improvement from how the federal Liberal government framed its rhetoric around the oilsands for the past decade, she said Ottawa can prove its commitment to bolstering Canada’s energy sector by repealing legislation and policies that go against industry interests.
“Despite the ambitious talk on the economy, if policies like the net-zero electricity grid and an oil and gas production cap remain in place, we’re not going to see that growth,” she said, adding Hodgson presented “a lot of great ideas” but not a lot of substance.
“If they really want to see quick wins, then abandon some of those problematic and unconstitutional policies that they currently still have on the table.”
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