Canada Must Develop a National Energy Strategy
Global Energy Crisis Exposes Canada’s Failure to Plan
TORONTO, ON — March 8, 2026
Canada must adopt a serious national energy strategy as global supply disruptions expose the country’s failure to plan for its role in the world energy system, says United Canadian Centrists leader Christopher M. Michaud.
With Europe scrambling for reliable energy supplies amid growing geopolitical tensions, Michaud says Canada has the resources and stability to become a key democratic energy supplier.
But achieving that goal requires long-term infrastructure planning and strategic leadership, not partisan debates between the Liberals and Conservatives.
Christopher M. Michaud, leader of the United Canadian Centrists (UCC), today called for Canada to adopt a coherent national energy strategy as global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions expose the country’s lack of long-term planning in the energy sector.
Recent disruptions to global energy markets have triggered renewed political debate in Canada about whether the country should become a larger supplier of oil and natural gas to democratic allies abroad.
According to Michaud, the current debate between the Liberals and Conservatives misses the real issue.
“Energy today is not just an industry, it’s geopolitics! Canada should be one of the democratic world’s most reliable suppliers, but that requires a national strategy, not partisan slogans!”
— Christopher M. Michaud, Leader, United Canadian Centrists
Michaud said recent supply disruptions affecting Europe demonstrate the risks faced by democratic nations that depend on unstable regions for critical energy supply.
“Countries across Europe are scrambling to secure reliable energy sources. Canada should absolutely be part of the solution. But becoming a reliable supplier to the democratic world requires something Canada currently lacks, a serious national energy strategy.”
The UCC leader criticized both major parties for failing to address the structural challenges preventing Canada from expanding its energy role.
“For nearly a decade, Liberal governments have presided over regulatory uncertainty and slow project approvals that discourage investment. The Conservative response, meanwhile, has often reduced the conversation to slogans about scrapping regulations and letting the market solve everything.
Neither approach reflects the complexity of the modern global energy system.”
Michaud emphasized that Canada’s biggest barrier is not simply regulation but the absence of long-term infrastructure planning.
“Energy exports require pipelines, LNG terminals, ports, and long-term international supply agreements. These systems take years to build and billions of dollars in investment. They cannot be improvised in the middle of a global crisis.”
He also stressed that Canadian energy policy must prioritize affordability for Canadians while expanding export opportunities.
“The objective should not be higher energy prices. The objective should be energy abundance. Canadians deserve reliable and affordable energy at home while Canada supplies stable and democratic energy to our allies abroad.”
The United Canadian Centrists are calling for a comprehensive national energy strategy focused on:
• Long-term infrastructure planning for energy transportation and export capacity
• Strategic energy partnerships with democratic allies
• Predictable and efficient regulatory timelines that provide certainty for investors
• Protection of affordable energy access for Canadian households and businesses
“Canada has enormous advantages, world-class resources, skilled workers, and political stability,” Michaud said.
“What we have lacked is leadership capable of turning those advantages into a coherent national strategy. Canada should be one of the democratic world’s most reliable energy partners, but that will only happen if we move beyond partisan reflexes and start governing strategically.”
For more information about the United Canadian Centrists and the party’s policy framework, visit uccparty.ca.
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