August 30, 2026 to September 05, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning oil and gas production, wells, drilling, petroleum and fuels refining, pipelines, LNG, hydrocarbons, and all Landman fans. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Oil & Gas? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Utilities & Power and Mining. Also consider subscribing to our Oil & Gas - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Ottawa and BC commence construction on North Coast Transmission Line, bolstering LNG and mineral growth

On September 3, Natural Resources Canada and project partners began construction on Phase 1 of the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL), extending transmission infrastructure from Prince George to Terrace, British Columbia. When completed, the NCTL will more than double available clean electricity in the region, enabling major industrial projects such as the Ksi Lisims LNG facility and development in the Golden Triangle's critical minerals sector. The project, referred to the Major Projects Office in November 2025, is projected to create $10 billion in economic activity and 10,000 jobs, while reducing emissions by up to three million tonnes annually. The initiative is co-funded under the Canada–BC Co-operative Prosperity Agreement and features co-ownership arrangements with Indigenous partners. This build is prioritized within Canada's National Electricity Strategy, which aims to double grid capacity by 2050.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson details Western Canada’s energy sector initiatives and federal-provincial cooperation

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson recently toured Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, meeting with provincial officials and industry players, including a site visit to Suncor’s Fort McMurray oil sands operations. Discussions with Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks addressed sector responses to U.S. tariffs and strategies to pivot toward domestic and non-U.S. markets. In Saskatchewan, Hodgson joined Minister Chris Beaudry and others to review grid enhancement and resource development, with additional focus on progress at the McIlvenna Bay mine and the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Rare Earth Processing Facility. Announcements included nearly $12 million for Saskatoon-based businesses to counter American tariffs and reinforce domestic supply chains. The tour concluded with the North Coast Transmission Line groundbreaking, advancing infrastructure expected to drive national prosperity, energy sovereignty, and job growth.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance launches to address sector labour challenges

On September 2, Employment Minister Patty Hajdu announced the launch of the Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance. This government-backed coalition—led by Electricity Human Resources Canada with support from the Energy Council of Canada and the Canadian Renewable Energy Association—brings together employers, workers, educators, and Indigenous groups. The Alliance will focus on workforce planning for energy development, grid modernization, and anticipated growth in sectors including LNG and renewables. Current labour market data indicate skills mismatches in certain roles and shortages in critical occupations such as heavy-duty mechanics and industrial technicians. The Alliance is tasked with forming evidence-based workforce strategies, supporting reskilling, regional labour mobility, and uptake of emerging technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CITT: No injury from Austrian oil and gas well casing imports; no duties applied

On September 1, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal concluded that imports of certain oil and gas well casing from Austria have not caused material injury nor pose a threat to the domestic industry (inquiry NQ-2026-001). As a result, anti-dumping duties will not be collected by the Canada Border Services Agency. Complainants included Algoma Tubes Inc., Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc., and Hydril Canadian Company LP. Full reasons for the finding are scheduled for release on September 16, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal fuel excise tax relief extended for gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuels

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced an extension of the federal fuel excise tax relief on multiple fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel. The measure aims to address everyday cost increases and was discussed at an upcoming event in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Details of the media availability for further updates were issued concurrently.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Quarterly capital spending rises in oil and gas extraction sector

According to Statistics Canada, capital expenditures in Canadian oil and gas extraction totaled $11.0 billion in Q2 2026, an increase of 7.2% over Q1. This data follows recent investments in both project development and associated transmission infrastructure, as reflected in parallel government and provincial initiatives across the hydrocarbons value chain.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Primary energy production increases 5.9% in June

Statistics Canada’s June energy data shows a 5.9% rise in total primary energy production, reaching 2.0 million gigajoules. All six tracked sectors contributed to the increase, signalling broad growth in Canadian energy output—including oil, gas, renewables, and related industries.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Pre-budget consultation for input on 2026 economic priorities remains open

Federal pre-budget consultations for Budget 2026, which cover economic growth, affordability, and workforce planning, are open until September 8. This presents a window for sectors—including oil and gas—to provide input via formal submissions or questionnaires.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government publishes new five-year climate report for sector planning

On September 3, Environment and Climate Change Canada released 'Canada’s Changing Climate Report 2026' to inform resilience and emergency preparedness planning. The scientific report highlights integration of climate change factors into all-sector decision making and supports continued implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy. The document accompanies broader federal activity, including the recent North Coast Transmission Line project and new community infrastructure committed as part of Budget 2025.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anandasangaree promotes affordability measures tied to rising fuel costs

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, held an event in Brantford, Ontario, on September 8 to provide detail on federal affordability measures addressing increased fuel costs. The session included a media briefing at a local Esso station and outlined government actions being taken to relieve consumer and transport sector pressure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada engages G20 on energy, trade and economic resilience

Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem participated in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. Key topics included global economic conditions, stability, artificial intelligence, and deepening collaboration in energy, minerals, and agriculture. Champagne used bilateral meetings to advance Canadian trade and investment interests in clean and conventional energy, and underscored support for international partnership via Defense, Security, and Resilience Bank (DSRB) discussions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Construction of North Coast Transmission Line begins in British Columbia

The BC government has commenced work on the North Coast Transmission Line, employing up to 1,400 at peak and anticipated to generate $10 billion annually for the provincial economy.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta backs economic corridor and trade talks with North America

Parliamentary Secretary Shane Getson will represent Alberta at the Ports-to-Plains Alliance conference in Texas and Mexico, focusing on supply chain integration and corridor development.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta invests $20 million in rural technology and emissions reduction pilots

Four rural Alberta projects will receive support via Emissions Reduction Alberta, targeting advancements in hydrogen transport, pipeline technology, oilfield soil remediation, and mill-scale carbon capture.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

What We're Reading This Week

• Every Reliable Power Source Is Already Spoken For. What Comes Next?: Analysis of prospects and constraints for new power generation as existing capacity is fully committed.
• The federal gas tax cut: Great politics and a terrible investment: Commentary on the implications of Ottawa’s fuel tax relief policy for public revenue and infrastructure.
• As Trump pivots to Venezuela for energy, U.S. big oil and big money invest in Canada: Review of shifting U.S. investment patterns and their connection to Canadian oil and gas.
• Terence Corcoran: Cost realities threaten pipelines, climate policy: Discussion on economic challenges facing pipeline development and regulatory climate policy.
• Shale gas carries major risks and rewards for Holt Liberals: Report on the policy implications surrounding shale gas development in New Brunswick.
• Statement from the Canadian Energy Marketers Association on Government’s Decision to Extend the Excise Tax Pause: Industry response to federal excise tax policy extension.

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