LNG Canada announced a multibillion‑dollar Phase 2 expansion at its Kitimat plant in B.C. The plan will raise annual LNG shipments from 14 million to 28 million tonnes, effectively doubling the export volume.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the $33‑billion private‑sector investment will make the Kitimat facility the second‑largest of its kind in the world and will connect low‑cost, low‑carbon Canadian energy to global markets. He also noted that the expansion could add up to 4,000 new construction jobs in Kitimat during the peak building phase.

The project is a joint venture between Shell, Petronas, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation and Korea Gas Corp. Together, the partners argue the expansion will strengthen Canada’s reputation as a reliable energy supplier and generate billions of dollars for the national economy.

However, critics warn that boosting LNG production may increase greenhouse‑gas emissions. They point to the risk of higher gas flaring at the terminal and the environmental impact of fracking, which supplies much of the natural gas used for liquefaction.

The debate highlights a classic trade‑off: the Phase 2 expansion promises significant economic growth and job creation, yet it also raises serious questions about Canada’s climate goals and the long‑term sustainability of fossil‑fuel projects.