Discussing the Advantage of Strong Partnerships on Breakthrough Nation 

Woodfibre LNG CEO Luke Schauerte recently joined host Karen Restoule — Director of Indigenous Affairs & Senior Fellow at the McDonald Laurier Institute — on the Breakthrough Nation podcast. They discussed how major projects get built in Canada and how Woodfibre LNG chooses a different, collaborative model for industrial development.

The conversation covered project progress, environmental stewardship, Indigenous partnership, and Canada’s role in a changing global energy landscape.

A few themes stood out clearly.

Strong projects start with strong partnerships

A central topic throughout the interview was our partnership with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).

Woodfibre LNG is the first industrial project in Canada to recognize a non-treaty Indigenous government as a full environmental regulator. That oversight model, governed by a legally-binding Indigenous-led environmental assessment (the first of its kind in the industry), has shaped the project from the beginning and remains one of its defining distinctions.

In the interview, Luke spoke about the importance of building relationships early, aligning around shared values, and creating a durable framework for working together over the long term. That partnership has influenced environmental oversight, cultural and gender safety planning, and the project’s broader approach to development.

Partnership isn’t separate from this project; it’s built into how it moves forward.

What Woodfibre LNG stands for

Luke also spoke about what Woodfibre LNG represents.

Not only is the project being built as the world’s first net zero LNG export facility, it’s also located on a former industrial site that has undergone significant remediation to reduce damage and contamination to the surrounding habitat.

Beyond those technical features, Luke described Woodfibre LNG as part of a broader model for how projects can be developed in Canada.

That includes:

• high environmental standards
• long-term partnership with Indigenous Peoples
• lower-emissions design choices, including electrified liquefaction and robust carbon offsets
• worker accommodation strategies that reduce pressure on local housing
• economic opportunities tied to construction, operations, and local procurement

At its core, the project embodies the high standards that Canada has set: we can build energy infrastructure in a way that is responsible, competitive, and grounded in long-term community benefit.

The case for expanding Canadian energy exports

Canada is well positioned to expand its energy exports, particularly to Asian markets.

Global demand is growing, buyers are looking for reliable suppliers, and Canada has both an abundant resource base and a strategic location on the Pacific Coast, offering access to Asia without choke points. When Canada fails to build its own export infrastructure, it leaves economic value, jobs, and long-term trade opportunities on the table, to be seized by other nations.

What Canada can do to get more projects built

Luke shared how Canada can maintain its high standards while also preserving its momentum on important projects like Woodfibre LNG. 

That means:

• building partnerships with communities and First Nations earlier
• reducing unnecessary regulatory overlap and uncertainty
• giving investors more confidence that innovative and well-planned projects can move forward
• learning from models that are already working

Canada does not need to choose between high standards and economic growth. It has the systems and tools necessary to do both.