This past June, former MP John McKay and I co-authored a column in The Globe and Mail calling for Canada to take a decisive role in helping our allies end their dependence on Russian oil and gas.
History offers a clear lesson. In the Second World War, the Allies choked off Nazi access to oil, crippling its war machine. Today, Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine is financed by billions in energy revenues—often paid by the very democracies committed to defending freedom. In the past three years, Western purchases of Russian energy have exceeded the total aid provided to Ukraine.
Canada cannot change global demand for hydrocarbons overnight. But we can—and must—ensure that our allies have a trusted, democratic alternative. By fast-tracking LNG terminals in Eastern Canada, building pipelines to Atlantic ports, and partnering with Indigenous and northern communities, we can displace Russian gas in Europe and strengthen transatlantic security.
This is more than an economic opportunity. It is a strategic imperative. Replacing corrupt, dirty Russian energy with cleaner Canadian supply will weaken authoritarian regimes, reinforce democracy, and protect our sovereignty. The time for hesitation is over—Canada must lead.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-canada-allies-russia-energy-dependence