Major projects announcement: Federal government fails to uphold national climate commitments and Indigenous rights, says David Suzuki Foundation

VANCOUVER — UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES (September, 11, 2025)

At a time when global momentum toward renewable electricity and electrification is increasing, Canada is taking a huge step back in announcing it will expand and fast-track liquefied natural gas projects in B.C.

The International Court of Justice has confirmed states are legally bound to prevent activities that worsen climate change. Approving carbon-intensive projects that include LNG expansion risks breaching this duty. It undermines Canada’s climate commitments and jeopardizes future competitiveness in a global economy shifting rapidly toward decarbonized goods and supply chains.

“Real reconciliation means land restitution, renewable energy and community power,” says Janelle Lapointe, senior adviser, Indigenous strategy at the David Suzuki Foundation. “Investing in LNG is investing in the past, when we should be building a safe climate future for all.”

The Foundation and its supporters have been calling on the federal government to invest in projects that connect economies across Canada, such as electrifying Canada, cleaning the air, improving efficiency and making life more affordable.

“Under international law, states that fail to curb oil and gas production may be committing an internationally wrongful act subject to reparations,” says Sabaa Khan, climate director and director general for Quebec and Atlantic Canada at the David Suzuki Foundation. “Yet the Canadian government is doubling down, expanding LNG production while front-line communities bear disrupted lands and surging climate impacts. This doesn’t just violate our national climate commitments; it also flies in the face of human rights.”

A survey undertaken by the Foundation and Leger this month shows public support for electrification over fossil fuels. Sixty-three per cent of Canadians agree that Canada should invest in renewable energy over fossil fuel developments. When given a choice of only one project, more Canadians prefer a connected east-west electricity grid to help power Canada’s economy with renewable energy (46 per cent) over a new pipeline to transport oil to either the East or West Coast for export to other countries (33 per cent).

“The real national interest is in upholding climate justice, which demands that we end the destructive cycle of fossil fuel expansion and its legacy of desecrating the land, water and ecosystems that sustain us,” Khan says.

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For more information or interviews, please contact:

Rosie Rattray: rrattray@davidsuzuki.org; 416-570-3728

NT4