I like the sentiments and won't quibble with any of the individual facts. It's correct in substance and form and yes, given the new King of America's approach to foreign policy, a wise one indeed.
Hi Fred, one very important consideration. Australia already exports 100 cf the 50 megatonnes Canada is aiming for. 80% is exported under locked in contracts. We are actually SHORT of gas locally and we have zero influence as the whole thing has been done "privately". So, the other thing needed for this to work, is your governments both paying attention and being willing to front Big Oil to ensure things are for Canada's benefit (our lobbying here is out of control, and our politicians instantly get post political careers as "dial a buddy" "consultants" so yeah, Australia's interests weren't front of mind) You need to prevent what's happened here where our politicians got lobbied into basically giving it away (not a Mark Carney, he's a once-in-a-generation event)
We messed up. We even HELPED Big Oil get approvals on sensitive locations with endangered animals and indigenous heritage which ended, no surprises, with "whoops, sorry about that, we'll take that slap on the wrist fine".
All our "easy" LNG will be gone in about 15-20 years, (30 year deals) and Australia got a few jobs out of it, scraps of $$$ and not much else. Except the clean up costs. We've got those coming.
That's a valuable warning from someone who's lived through it.
Canada absolutely needs to learn from Australia's experience.
Building export capacity is one thing.
Making sure Canadians benefit from it is another.
If we don't get the royalties, contracts, domestic supply, and long-term public interest right, we'll be having this same conversation 20 years from now.
Another very informative newsletter Fred. Thanks for always updating us on the latest diatribe in Washington, while making sense of all the different sides to the world story :)
Fred, this latest article summarizes all the good things that the Carney government is doing to diversify, as much as possible and practical, away from the US. However, something about Carney's approach to Trump is really starting to bother me. Carney seems to be pandering to Trump by saying things that he doesn't need to. For example, he spoke glowingly about the recent MOU between the US and Iran. Many of your readers follow other posts on Substack, and the overwhelming conclusion reached is that the deal is an unmitigated disaster. It puts Iran in a much stronger position than they were prior to Trump's illegal start to the war, without Congressional approval. My point is this: it doesn't improve Carney's relationships with the leaders of the countries that we're trying to increase trade. It doesn't improve his standing among Canadians. Finally, it won't accomplish anything vis-à-vis Trump who is an unpredictable and erratic leader. I still support our PM, but a comment like this one from Carney at the recent G7 meeting was not necessary: “I think it's well-structured from our perspective… Again, it's well-structured. I actually think, yeah, I think it's a game changer.” We are now witnessing the closure of the Straight of Hormuz in real time. IMHO, our PM should refrain from any attempt to “please” Trump.
Hi Jerry, I personally don't think Carney is trying to "please" Trump at all, I believe he is simply being diplomatic, & instead, trying to appease DJT, so they can all get the job done in a civil manner...
I suspect Carney is trying to separate diplomacy from endorsement.
When you're dealing with a country as important as the U.S., sometimes leaders say things publicly that are more about keeping channels open than expressing personal enthusiasm.
That said, I understand your concern.
The challenge with Trump has always been that conventional diplomatic instincts don't always produce conventional results.
Whether Carney's approach proves effective is something we'll only know with time.
For now, I think his larger strategy of diversifying Canada's trade and alliances is the more important story to watch.
I like the sentiments and won't quibble with any of the individual facts. It's correct in substance and form and yes, given the new King of America's approach to foreign policy, a wise one indeed.
Well said, Eric.
This isn't about turning away from America.
It's about making sure Canada's future isn't dependent on decisions made in Washington.
Thank you so much for your reports and keeping us in the loop.
Kathy, you're very welcome.
My goal is simple: cut through the noise, connect the dots, and explain what it means for Canadians.
I'm grateful you're along for the ride.
Hi Fred, one very important consideration. Australia already exports 100 cf the 50 megatonnes Canada is aiming for. 80% is exported under locked in contracts. We are actually SHORT of gas locally and we have zero influence as the whole thing has been done "privately". So, the other thing needed for this to work, is your governments both paying attention and being willing to front Big Oil to ensure things are for Canada's benefit (our lobbying here is out of control, and our politicians instantly get post political careers as "dial a buddy" "consultants" so yeah, Australia's interests weren't front of mind) You need to prevent what's happened here where our politicians got lobbied into basically giving it away (not a Mark Carney, he's a once-in-a-generation event)
We messed up. We even HELPED Big Oil get approvals on sensitive locations with endangered animals and indigenous heritage which ended, no surprises, with "whoops, sorry about that, we'll take that slap on the wrist fine".
All our "easy" LNG will be gone in about 15-20 years, (30 year deals) and Australia got a few jobs out of it, scraps of $$$ and not much else. Except the clean up costs. We've got those coming.
That's a valuable warning from someone who's lived through it.
Canada absolutely needs to learn from Australia's experience.
Building export capacity is one thing.
Making sure Canadians benefit from it is another.
If we don't get the royalties, contracts, domestic supply, and long-term public interest right, we'll be having this same conversation 20 years from now.
Thanks for sharing the lesson.
Another very informative newsletter Fred. Thanks for always updating us on the latest diatribe in Washington, while making sense of all the different sides to the world story :)
Thank you, Patsy. I appreciate that.
These days there's no shortage of noise coming out of Washington... or anywhere else for that matter.
I just try to connect the dots and make sense of what it means for Canada.
Glad you find it useful.
Thanks so much, Fred.
You're very welcome, Carol-Ann.
Thanks for reading and for being part of the conversation.
We're living through some interesting times, and I appreciate having thoughtful people along for the journey.
Fred, this latest article summarizes all the good things that the Carney government is doing to diversify, as much as possible and practical, away from the US. However, something about Carney's approach to Trump is really starting to bother me. Carney seems to be pandering to Trump by saying things that he doesn't need to. For example, he spoke glowingly about the recent MOU between the US and Iran. Many of your readers follow other posts on Substack, and the overwhelming conclusion reached is that the deal is an unmitigated disaster. It puts Iran in a much stronger position than they were prior to Trump's illegal start to the war, without Congressional approval. My point is this: it doesn't improve Carney's relationships with the leaders of the countries that we're trying to increase trade. It doesn't improve his standing among Canadians. Finally, it won't accomplish anything vis-à-vis Trump who is an unpredictable and erratic leader. I still support our PM, but a comment like this one from Carney at the recent G7 meeting was not necessary: “I think it's well-structured from our perspective… Again, it's well-structured. I actually think, yeah, I think it's a game changer.” We are now witnessing the closure of the Straight of Hormuz in real time. IMHO, our PM should refrain from any attempt to “please” Trump.
Hi Jerry, I personally don't think Carney is trying to "please" Trump at all, I believe he is simply being diplomatic, & instead, trying to appease DJT, so they can all get the job done in a civil manner...
Trying to appease Trump is exceedingly difficult, as many other world leaders have discovered.
You are absolutely right there Jerry. The man is very focused on world domination in my opinion, but, I could be wrong, I was wrong once before haha.
Fair point, Jerry.
I suspect Carney is trying to separate diplomacy from endorsement.
When you're dealing with a country as important as the U.S., sometimes leaders say things publicly that are more about keeping channels open than expressing personal enthusiasm.
That said, I understand your concern.
The challenge with Trump has always been that conventional diplomatic instincts don't always produce conventional results.
Whether Carney's approach proves effective is something we'll only know with time.
For now, I think his larger strategy of diversifying Canada's trade and alliances is the more important story to watch.