Freeland Says Canada Has Responsibility to Help Europe on Energy

“I think that it’s very important for Canada to step up and to say, we’re going to help you, we’re going to help replace that energy,” Freeland said. “So yes, I think there is a role for the federal government, working with provincial governments, working with the private sector, working with our European allies to make this happen.”

Freeland was asked specifically about a Saint John facility owned by Spanish energy firm Repsol SA, which has said it is studying the possibility of building liquefaction capacity at the site. Freeland said she is “very familiar” with the Repsol project, but also with other proposals to build new LNG terminals and that “this is not the moment to pick specific projects.”

The Repsol project is widely considered the most likely to be operational quickly because it builds onto existing infrastructure.

Freeland told reporters she will be meeting with energy industry leaders on her current trip through Atlantic Canada.