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In this time of global uncertainty, the countries that succeed will not be the ones that fight amongst themselves. They will be the ones that build
By Tim Hodgson, Originally a Special to the Financial Post Here
That is why, as your Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, I have come to see my role in another way, too — as a kind of “minister of national unity.”
I grew up in a Royal Canadian Air Force family, moving across the country from small towns like Gypsumville, Man., and Barrington Passage, N.S., to cities like Winnipeg and Markham-Thornhill, to forestry communities like Holberg, B.C., and energy-producing regions across Western Canada. I have also lived and worked abroad, in too many countries to list.
Having experienced Canada from coast to coast to coast, and viewed it from afar, I can say with certainty that Canada is the best country in the world. Of course, we can pick and choose individual things about other countries to admire, but — taken as a whole — I would always choose Canada, hands down.
Canada is not perfect, but we are a country where the strength and diversity of every province, territory and community contributes to something larger than itself. When we unite, our regional and cultural diversity makes us stronger.
The same is true for our energy and natural resources. Our resources are not just economic assets — they are the foundation of who we are. They help us provide for our families, deliver prosperity in our towns and cities, and fund our public services. Every part of our country plays a role, complementing one another. We have vast energy resources in our western and Atlantic provinces. We are fortunate to operate some of the world’s best hydro projects. We have built some of the safest nuclear assets in the world in Ontario and New Brunswick. And the territories are home to some of the best mining opportunities anywhere on Earth.
That means that when Canada puts all its energy and natural resource cards together, we have a strong hand — a winning hand. To build that strength, your federal government is relentlessly focused on cooperative federalism. It is how we move from disagreement that divides to delivery that provides, for Canadians and for the world.
The Canada–Alberta Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a clear example of that in action. Through this landmark agreement, we are working together to increase and diversify our energy exports, cut emissions and attract investment. The MOU sends a signal to Canadians, to investors, and to our allies that Canada can act like the federation it was designed to be.
To further strengthen our federation, we have been signing “One Project, One Review” agreements across the country to replace duplication and delays with faster decisions that will be made by the people closest to the projects and communities themselves. In less than a year, we have implemented agreements with eight provinces, including Alberta. These agreements are helping us build major projects responsibly, so that Canada can give itself more than anyone can take away. More jobs, more prosperity and more resilience.
As a western Canadian and a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I will always stand up for a strong, united Canada.
But I know unity does not mean uniformity. It means that, while we recognize that we will not agree on everything, we choose to focus on what we do agree on.
We agree that Canada should be a place of opportunity. We agree that we should build an economy that works for families in every corner of the country. We agree that we should develop our natural resources responsibly, to provide energy security and prosperity at home and to our allies. And we agree that this is the greatest country in the world.
In this time of global uncertainty, the countries that succeed will not be the ones that fight amongst themselves. They will be the ones that build.
So, let’s argue less and build more.
Let’s build major projects from coast to coast to coast. Let’s build partnerships between provinces and territories and with Indigenous Peoples. Let’s build one Canadian economy that creates jobs and security for everyone. And let’s build institutions strong enough to carry us forward, while others backslide.
Prosperity, resilience, security and sovereignty are not things we simply inherit. They are strengths we must build together, for all Canadians today, and for the generations of Canadians to come.
Tim Hodgson is Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
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