While CERAWeek may not be a household name outside energy circles, this premier global conference in Houston, Texas, now in its 44th year, serves as a critical barometer for the world's energy future. The recent gathering attracted over 10,000 participants from nearly 90 countries, including influential leaders from industry, policy, technology, finance, and government sectors.
Energy as a Security and Competitiveness Imperative
The conversations at CERAWeek revealed a significant shift in how energy is perceived globally. It is no longer viewed narrowly as a mere commodity or environmental concern. Instead, energy has become fundamentally about security and competitiveness, with direct economic and social implications. Jurisdictions that can effectively attract investment, support industrial growth, and build resilience are those that successfully deliver energy solutions both domestically and internationally.
This reality applies equally to Canada. The nation's capacity to support its allies globally begins with its ability to provide reliable energy at home. To seize current opportunities, Canada requires a clear and comprehensive natural gas strategy that can attract capital with both scale and urgency.
The Urgent Need for More Energy Supply
The dialogue has evolved beyond advocating for "all of the above" energy sources to a more pressing realization: we will need more of the above. Demand is not waiting, and every credible analysis indicates the necessity for increased supply, enhanced infrastructure, and greater system capacity, starting with domestic capabilities.
In this context, natural gas is not peripheral but central to Canadian prosperity. The natural gas delivery industry meets approximately 40% of Canada's energy needs through an extensive network serving over 7.6 million customer locations. This system, built for Canadian conditions, provides essential scale, storage, and reliability, positioning Canada to address both domestic and global energy security requirements.
Pressure on North American Energy Systems
Discussions highlighted that pressure on the broader North American energy system is intensifying, necessitating faster permitting and construction to meet consumer demand. The conversation has become notably more practical compared to previous years. The central question is no longer merely about the type of energy future we aspire to but whether our systems can deliver affordability, reliability, and resilience during the transition.
As Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and others have emphasized, "Energy security is national security." His recent statement provides a welcome signal of ambition: "We will win this race. We will only win it with natural gas." This clarity is crucial and deserves recognition.
Natural Gas as a Critical Enabler
Natural gas serves as a powerful enabler—powering artificial intelligence, supporting onshoring initiatives, and delivering affordable, reliable energy. It cannot be treated simply as an export opportunity. Canada must align domestic policies to unlock existing resources and infrastructure, thereby supporting affordability, economic growth, and system resilience.
Canada has a unique opportunity to approach this moment with confidence and pragmatism, leveraging its abundant natural gas reserves and critical delivery infrastructure already in place. If the conversations at CERAWeek are any indication, the coming decades will demand more from every component of the energy system—and Canada possesses the necessary resources to deliver.
— Based on insights from Susanna Zagar, president & CEO of the Canadian Gas Association
