Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleSQUAMISH, B.C. — British Columbia Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has welcomed a $200-million federal investment in Woodfibre LNG near Squamish, saying the project illustrates how governments, First Nations and industry can work together to advance major energy developments.
Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced the investment on November 13, 2026. The money is intended to help the LNG export facility increase its annual production target from 2.1 million tonnes to between 2.5 million and 2.6 million tonnes, a potential increase of 19% to 24%, according to Natural Resources Canada. The federal announcement says the funding will also support improved reliability and efficiency and exploration of a possible second phase.
Doerkson welcomed the announcement in a statement issued Friday, calling it positive news for the Squamish region and British Columbia’s economy. He said provincial resources, electricity, skilled labour and Pacific access could help attract further investment, but argued that major-project approvals need predictable timelines.
What the $200 million is intended to support
Woodfibre LNG is under construction on the former Woodfibre pulp mill site on Howe Sound, about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish. The federally announced contribution is aimed at increasing the project’s output and efficiency, rather than marking the completion of the facility.
The November 13 federal release says Woodfibre is expected to begin operating in late 2027. The federal government reports that about 1,500 people are working on site each day during construction and that approximately 100 full-time jobs are expected during operations. Those numbers are government and project expectations, not a count of newly created permanent jobs as a result of Friday’s investment.
Squamish Nation’s environmental oversight
The project is being advanced in collaboration with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), which conducted its own environmental assessment. That process produced an agreement with 25 legally binding conditions covering the project. Squamish Nation retains an independent oversight role as development proceeds.
Doerkson described that Indigenous-led assessment and continuing oversight as a model for giving communities a meaningful role in project decisions. The federal release also quotes Squamish Nation chairperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams as emphasizing the Nation’s continuing regulatory authority and protections for its territory, waters, air and people.
Emissions claims and regulatory scrutiny
Natural Resources Canada describes Woodfibre as a hydroelectricity-powered project intended to operate as a net-zero LNG export facility. The government’s announcement says that outcome depends in part on buying carbon offsets for residual emissions and cites the company’s estimate that its emissions intensity would be lower than that of conventional LNG facilities. These are stated project goals and projections, not measured operational results.
Woodfibre LNG’s official project updates also document ongoing regulatory applications relating to air emissions, stormwater and drainage. Project commissioning and startup remain subject to the relevant authorizations and environmental conditions.
Doerkson calls for faster decisions and First Nations investment opportunities
In the statement supplied to StudioX News, Doerkson called for Ottawa and British Columbia to coordinate financing, tax policy and supporting infrastructure for major projects. He also advocated expanding opportunities for First Nations to take equity stakes using provincial and federal loan-guarantee programs.
He said he intends to work with Minister Hodgson, First Nations and industry after the new provincial government is sworn in, and argued that a “one project, one review” approach should produce more timely and predictable decisions. Those proposals are Doerkson’s policy positions, separate from the details of the federal funding announcement.
Doerkson also pointed to the project’s anticipated first LNG cargo in 2027 as a milestone he hopes will be followed by further investment in British Columbia. The timing remains a project expectation, not a confirmed shipment date.
Official sources
- Natural Resources Canada: $200-million Woodfibre LNG announcement, November 13, 2026
- Woodfibre LNG: media centre and project background
- Woodfibre LNG: official construction and regulatory updates
Statement source: Office of B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson, November 13, 2026, supplied to StudioX News.
Featured photograph: Woodfibre LNG construction site on Howe Sound. Photo: Woodfibre LNG, via its official project website.
The StudioX News Lower Mainland Desk covers Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Stories are written by the StudioX News newsroom from official sources (governments, police, emergency services, utilities, transit and health authorities) and checked against our editorial standards. To report an error, use the Report an error button on any story.
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About the author
The StudioX News Lower Mainland Desk covers Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Stories are written by the StudioX News newsroom from official sources (governments, police, emergency services, utilities, transit and health authorities) and checked against our editorial standards. To report an error, use the Report an error button on any story.
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