Canada wants to expand its LNG business. Critics raise red flags

Kitimat, British Columbia: As Canada tries to position itself as an emerging leader in global liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets, it risks locking in multidecade, multibillion-dollar contracts with companies whose current and past ventures include human rights abuses and environmental damage. LNG Canada, which began operations in mid-2025 in Kitimat in British Columbia on the country's west coast, is the nation's first major export facility. In late September, it gave the green light to a $33bn expansion which will double production in the coming years at Kitimat. But the Kitimat plant has had challenges with its flaring equipment since beginning commissioning in late 2024.