Natural Resources

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources met on March 24, 2026, to study energy exports. Appearing as witnesses were Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Marie-Christine Doran, a professor at the University of Ottawa; George Christidis, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association; and Brendan O'Connell, Vice President of Business Development at Hydrogen Canada Corp.

Natan Obed stated that Inuit Nunangat, comprising 40% of Canada's land mass, holds significant energy potential but faces a severe infrastructure deficit, with no communities connected to the north-south power grid and energy costs up to three times the southern Canadian average. He recommended that federal policy prioritize both grid expansion, such as the Kivalliq hydro-fibre project, and localized off-grid renewable systems to reduce diesel dependence, and urged that any new defence or trade infrastructure in the Arctic provide dual-use benefits for Inuit communities. He noted that the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program lacks distinctions-based funding for Inuit and that major energy projects must respect modern treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Marie-Christine Doran argued that Canada should focus its energy export efforts on reliable Latin American partners committed to multilateralism and the rule of law, specifically Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, while avoiding countries like Ecuador, El Salvador, and Bolivia that are weakening legal frameworks and increasing corruption. She recommended that Canada join multilateral trade agreements such as Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance to deepen ties with these partners, and warned that the United States' "Donroe" doctrine and military alliances with far-right governments pose risks to Canadian trade interests.

George Christidis highlighted that Canada's nuclear sector, including uranium mining, CANDU technology, and small modular reactors, is a strategic national asset with growing global demand, but noted that domestic regulatory requirements at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission have increased by 80% over the past decade, hindering competitiveness. He recommended improving regulatory efficiency, maintaining investment tax credits, and aligning federal financial institutions to support nuclear exports, and stressed that domestic project success is key to international opportunities.

Brendan O'Connell stated that Hydrogen Canada Corp. is developing a $3.5-billion blue ammonia facility for export to Asia, targeting Korea's mandated hydrogen market, but faces challenges from high rail transport costs and insurance burdens for dangerous goods. He recommended that the federal government support rail-based export strategies, maintain carbon pricing and investment tax credits, and modify tax credit rules to recognize low-carbon natural gas, noting that without these supports the project cannot proceed. He also emphasized the importance of adding value to Canadian resources rather than exporting raw commodities.

The committee also heard a brief exchange where a member requested permission to submit written questions to the witnesses for inclusion in the report, which was granted.