ESF Promoted Indigenous Participation, LNG, and Energy Security at the BC Natural Resources Forum 2026

Discussions at the BC Natural Resources Forum this year highlighted several developments that are increasingly relevant to Canada’s energy future: the central role of Indigenous participation in resource development, clearer policy signals around natural resources in British Columbia, and the continued importance of LNG in supporting economic growth and energy security.

British Columbia Premier Dave Eby delivered a keynote address.

Energy for a Secure Future participated in the forum in Prince George, British Columbia, where ESF Chair Shannon Joseph engaged with leaders from Indigenous nations, government, and industry, exchanging views on conditions that will advance the growth of natural resource development in the province.

Conversations reinforced that Indigenous participation is foundational to energy and resource development. Discussions with Indigenous leaders, including Dolleen Logan, Chief of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, highlighted how ownership and participation across sectors, such as energy infrastructure, forestry, and finance, are supporting housing, education, and long-term economic independence within communities alongside project viability.

Shannon Joseph met with Cory Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Shannon Joseph met with British Columbia Premier Dave Eby
(Left to right) Chief Eva Clayton, President of the Nisga’a Lisims Government and Shannon

From a policy perspective, remarks from British Columbia Premier David Eby and Adrian Dix, British Columbia Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions stressed the importance of natural resource development to the province’s economic outlook and the role of LNG in supporting growth in British Columbia and in allied markets. These messages point to a more explicit link between energy development, economic objectives, and energy security considerations.

The forum also reflected broader international dynamics. Discussions echoed themes emerging from ESF’s international work: high-growth economies are seeking reliable, long-term energy supply, and Canada continues to be assessed as a potential partner based on its resource base and the work underway to support future delivery.

Insights from the C-Suite: What it Takes to Build Investment in B.C.
(Left to right) Sarah Weber, President and CEO, C3 Alliance; Paul Tomory, President and CEO, Centerra Gold Inc.; Heather Christie-Burns, President and CEO, Pembina Gas Infrastructure; Michel Letellier, President and CEO, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.; Luke Schauerte, CEO, Woodfibre LNG; Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO, Canfor
Beyond the First Cargo: Canada and B.C.’s Competitive Edge as a Global Gas and LNG Producer
(Left to right) Sarah Weber, President and CEO, C3 Alliance; Paul Tomory, President and CEO, Centerra Gold Inc.; Heather Christie-Burns, President and CEO, Pembina Gas Infrastructure; Michel Letellier, President and CEO, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.; Luke Schauerte, CEO, Woodfibre LNG; Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO, Canfor

Taken together, these discussions point to a shift toward more practical conversations about delivery, who participates, how projects advance responsibly, and how Canada’s natural resources can support long-term economic and energy security outcomes.

For Energy for a Secure Future, participation in the forum reinforced the importance of sustained, practical dialogue among Indigenous leaders, governments, and industry as Canada considers its role in a changing global energy landscape.