The Green Party of Canada is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to immediately remove the Ksi Lisims LNG project from Canada’s new “Major Projects of National Interest” fast-track list, warning that the decision hands an enormous political and financial power to Donald Trump’s billionaire backers, at the direct expense of Canadians.
Ksi Lisims is wholly owned by Western LNG, a Texas-based company financed by private equity firms Blackstone and Apollo Global Management. Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman was among Donald Trump’s largest political donors last year and now advises the Trump administration on economic and trade policy. Apollo founder Leon Black resigned amid revelations he paid at least US$170 million to Jeffrey Epstein and remains under investigation by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. Apollo continues to profit from Western LNG’s ventures in Canada.
“These are not neutral investors,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party. “They are central figures in the political and financial machinery surrounding the current U.S. administration. Canadians should be alarmed that instead of scrutinizing this project, the Carney government has chosen to fast-track it.”
The Carney government advanced Ksi Lisims under Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, which empowers the Major Projects Office to accelerate approvals and public financing for selected projects. This comes despite active legal challenges from the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations regarding inadequate consultation and environmental risk.
“Canada’s commitment to free, prior and informed consent is not something that can be waived when it becomes inconvenient,” said May. “Pushing this project forward while First Nations are still in court signals that their rights are negotiable when politically inconvenient. That is unacceptable.”
At the same time, the economic case for LNG is also deteriorating. With renewable energy growing quickly, long-term LNG projects face declining demand and rising risk. Even with promises of electrification, Ksi Lisims would drive increased fracked gas production and long-term emissions at a time when Canada is already struggling to meet its climate targets.
“This project ties Canada more tightly to fossil fuels in a declining market, while deepening our exposure to the political agenda of the current U.S. administration,” said May. “Canadian tax dollars should not be underwriting private equity funds tied to President Trump. They should be building a clean, secure energy future.”
The Green Party is calling for Ksi Lisims LNG to be removed from the Major Projects Office list, for Bill C-5 to be repealed, and for an immediate end to federal subsidies, tax breaks and loan guarantees for fossil fuel expansion.
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For media inquiries or to arrange an interview: media@greenparty.ca