Canada strengthens energy collaboration with Indo-Pacific countries to attract investment, create jobs and diversify trade

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- In an increasingly volatile world, Canada is building our sovereignty, security and strength by growing a vast trade network. Our free trade agreements already give Canadian businesses access to more than 1.5 billion consumers across 51 countries, and we are building on the momentum of the Prime Minister and Minister Hodgson's January 2026 visit to China to deepen Canadian engagement across the Asia-Pacific region, open new markets and pathways for Canadian exporters and generate economic opportunity and prosperity.

From September 8 to 11, 2026, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, embarked on a successful trip to China, where he expanded Canada's relations in the Asia-Pacific region at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation's Energy Ministers' Meeting (APEC EMM). For the first time in more than 10 years, Canada was represented politically at the APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting, reflecting the Government of Canada's renewed focus on strengthening trade, investment and energy partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region. APEC is made up of 21 members, which account for approximately 38 percent of the world's population, 61 percent of the world's total GDP and 47 percent of the world's trade -- representing a massive opportunity for Canadian goods and services.

While at the APEC EMM, Parliamentary Secretary Hogan emphasized Canada's priorities in sessions on key issues including energy security, access to services for remote communities and the use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector. He also highlighted the importance of affordability and the energy transition, noting Canada's recently announced strategies for electricity and nuclear. He reinforced Canada's position as an energy superpower: a stable and trusted supplier of choice for countries in the region.

Parliamentary Secretary Hogan met with several international counterparts on the margins of the APEC EMM, including representatives from China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea. During these meetings, he advanced discussions on bilateral energy and natural resources trade, security and investment.

The Parliamentary Secretary also met with a variety of industry stakeholders in Shanghai and Beijing to further develop opportunities for increased partnership and investment with Canada. He also toured a demonstration project showcasing sustainable, high-quality Canadian wood construction in China and discussed how we can further Canadian wood construction in China following the signing of the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation on Modern Wood Construction.

Canada has what the world wants, and we are acting with urgency to expand opportunities for our energy and natural resources sectors to reinforce our prosperity and sovereignty in a way that benefits all Canadians for the long term.

Quote

"Canada has an opportunity right now to generate prosperity, diversify trade, secure global energy markets and enhance our sovereignty by working with partners across the Asia-Pacific region. With abundant resources, strong energy expertise and a Pacific coast that connects us directly to global markets, Canada can deliver both conventional and clean energy to the Asia- Pacific region in a way that creates economic opportunity for Canadians and shows how we can give ourselves more than anyone can take away."

Corey Hogan
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

• In 2024, APEC partners accounted for 83 percent of Canada's total merchandise trade.
• APEC economies have consistently accounted for more than half of Canada's non-U.S. trade over the last decade, and Canada has free trade agreements with 12 of the 20 other APEC economies.
• Canada operates the only major LNG facility on North America's Pacific coast, providing direct access to Asia-Pacific markets.
• Between June 2025 and August 2026, Canada has exported approximately 130 tankers carrying LNG to Asia, equivalent to 470 billion cubic feet or approximately 9.7 million tonnes of gas. Canada now exports about one million metric tonnes of LNG to Asia per month.
• LNG projects in development on the west coast represent over $100 billion in potential capital investment and support Canada's objective of 50 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG buildout by the early 2030s, with the potential to grow up to 100 mtpa by 2040.
• Canada is well positioned to meet growing global demand for heavy oil as a responsible supplier of choice, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, thanks to our recently expanded oil pipelines that transport crude to the west coast.
• The Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) provides a direct Pacific shipping route that bypasses exclusive U.S. market reliance. China has emerged as the leading buyer of TMX seaborne exports, absorbing roughly 60 percent of these shipments.
• In July, Canada announced the referral of the Government of Alberta's proposal for a west coast pipeline project to the Major Projects Office (MPO). This pipeline would transport one million barrels per day of oil to global markets, particularly in Asia.
• In January 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China and released a joint statement with President of China Xi Jinping outlining the pillars of a new strategic partnership. Central to this new partnership is an agreement to collaborate in energy, clean technology and climate competitiveness.
• China is Canada's second-largest market for forest products, and the Government of Canada is aligning Canada's wood construction sector for strategic, higher-value opportunities. The Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation on Modern Wood Construction, signed in January 2026 during the Prime Minister's visit, effectively positions the federal government to work with the province of British Columbia and China to facilitate market access and build stronger trade connections.

Associated Links

• Canada–China relations
• Prime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China focused on energy, agri-food, and trade
• Powering Canada Strong: A National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy
• Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Contacts: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6096, [email protected]; Charlotte Power, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected]