LNG: Canada’s Opportunity

By growing the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in British Columbia, Canada could create 96,550 new jobs, boost total wages in Canada by over $6 billion, and increase Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $11 billion every year.  A 2020 report by the Conference Board of Canada, A Rising Tide: The Economic Impact of B.C.’s liquefied natural gas industry, examines the potential economic impacts of growing Canada’s LNG industry:

A gain of 71,000 jobs annually in British Columbia alone would represent a 3 per cent increase in total provincial employment as of May 2020. Neighbouring Alberta would add more than 9,200 jobs. Ontario would see more than 10,800 jobs created. Quebec, an additional 2,600 jobs, Manitoba more than 1,000 jobs, and Saskatchewan more than 800 new jobs each year.

Every single sector in the economy stands to benefit from the potential economic lift of further developing LNG in B.C.

 

  • Between 2020 and 2064, more than $92 billion in revenue could be generated for provinces and territories in Canada. Of this total, nearly $78 billion would accrue to British Columbia. Over $64 billion would be generated for the federal government in tax revenue.
  • British Columbia’s portion would exceed $8 billion annually, an increase in the province’s GDP of more than three per cent.
  • Alberta’s GDP would see an annual increase of $1.6 billion, or just over 0.5 per cent.
  • For Ontario, the figure would be $1 billion, or just over 0.1 per cent of annual GDP.
  • For Quebec, the benefits would total $222 million a year.

With over $2 billion in annual tax and royalty payments, the LNG sector would become one of the largest revenue generating industries for British Columbia.

Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec combined could expect more than $360M in additional tax revenues annually.

Liquefied natural gas is natural gas – the same gas millions of Canadians use for cooking and heating- that has been cooled until it becomes a liquid. This way, it takes up less volume and can be transported more easily. More than 30 countries around the world have turned to import LNG to reduce their air pollution and provide cleaner air for their citizens and to help meet their climate goals by switching from higher emission fuel sources like coal to natural gas. Find out more.