Resource Works CEO and founder Stewart Muir has laid out the conditions for Canada to realize its potential
How can Canada fully realize its energy potential?
Stewart Muir – CEO of Resource Works – often speaks about this question. According to Muir, Canada’s abundant natural resources, skilled workforce, and high standards give us a strong foundation to build on . But to translate these strengths into true economic and environmental leadership, a few key conditions must be met.
Below are five key conditions Muir highlights (especially regarding LNG and oil development) that can help Canada seize its energy opportunity:
- Streamlined & Efficient Regulation – Unnecessarily lengthy and unpredictable approval processes have stalled projects and scared away investors. Muir advocates cutting red tape and speeding up decisions so that government isn’t working “at cross purposes” with industry . Reforming Canada’s permitting and regulatory processes would make energy projects more viable and globally competitive, allowing development to proceed faster without compromising standards.
- Strong Indigenous Partnerships – Canada’s energy future needs to be built in true partnership with Indigenous peoples. Muir points out that First Nations are increasingly co-leading resource projects, with over 500 economic and reconciliation agreements in British Columbia alone. Embracing Indigenous leadership – through equity partnerships, consultations, and benefit-sharing – not only advances reconciliation but also creates certainty and shared prosperity for energy developments. Projects move forward best when Indigenous communities are on board as genuine partners
- Robust Infrastructure & Market Access – To capitalize on our resources, Canada must expand and modernize the infrastructure that gets energy to market. That means building and upgrading pipelines, ports, and LNG terminals. The recent completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline is a proof point – it’s already moving Canadian oil to U.S. and Asian buyers , helping fetch better prices. Muir and others argue we also need to develop new LNG capacity, including on the East Coast, to supply allies in Europe . By investing in strategic infrastructure, Canada can ensure its oil and gas reach global markets efficiently and safely, turning resource potential into real economic growth.
- Proactive Global Market Positioning – Canada has to seize its moment in the global energy market. Demand for energy is skyrocketing worldwide, yet Canada hasn’t fully stepped up to meet it. For example, when allied nations like Germany and Japan turned to Canada for LNG in recent years, they left empty-handed for lack of a “strong business case” to export gas . Meanwhile, other suppliers (the U.S., Qatar, etc.) eagerly filled those needs. Muir emphasizes that Canada must proactively position itself as a reliable exporter – or risk being left behind while others grab the opportunity . That means securing long-term contracts and building trade relationships so Canadian LNG and oil can become go-to choices in Asia, Europe, and beyond. In short, we need to act with urgency on the world stage to claim our share of the market.
- Public Confidence through Environmental Leadership – Earning public trust is essential for any energy project to succeed. Canadians need to see that resource development can coexist with high environmental standards and climate responsibility. Muir notes that strengthening public confidence in energy and mining projects could help “preserve and unlock” the economic value of Canada’s huge reserves, and even position Canada as a leader in how to do resource development right . This means being transparent, engaging communities early, and upholding world-class environmental protections. Canada’s own track record shows that responsible resource development is not just possible – “it’s our forte” . By leading with strong environmental performance (for instance, using clean technology and cutting emissions per barrel), project developers can build the social license to operate. In turn, this public trust enables more projects to move ahead, aligning economic growth with our climate and environmental commitments.
Bottom Line: Muir’s vision suggests that if Canada delivers on these conditions – from faster approvals and better partnerships to smarter infrastructure and trust-building – we can translate our natural advantages into both prosperity and sustainability. Canada has the resources and know-how; now it’s about having the will to act.
By focusing on these key areas, Canada can become not only an energy powerhouse at home, but also a global example of economic and environmental leadership in responsible energy development.