Shannon Stubbs is pressing the federal government over stalled natural resource projects and the closure of a long-standing agricultural research centre, saying Liberal policies are hurting Canada’s competitiveness and farmers in her riding.
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In a Feb. 26 news release, the Lakeland MP and Conservative shadow minister for energy and natural resources said she has continued to challenge the government in Parliament and at the Standing Committee on Natural Resources over what she called delays in approving major projects.
During a Feb. 12 committee meeting, Stubbs questioned the minister of energy and natural resources about the federal record on liquefied natural gas approvals compared with the United States, as well as timelines for projects awaiting regulatory decisions.
“Since 2015, as you know, the current federal government approved only four of 18 Canadian LNG proposals,” Stubbs said at committee.
“Only the one that Conservatives approved — LNG Canada 1 and also 2 at the same time — actually operates, while the U.S. approved 26. With 16 building and operating, the U.S., of course, is the world’s lead exporter now. How can Liberals claim to want Canada to be an energy superpower when those are actually the facts on Canadian LNG?”
Stubbs also raised concerns about what she described as a lack of clarity for investors, pointing to debate around Bill C-5 and the government’s use of the term “national interest” in determining project approvals.
“How can proponents or investors in LNG and all other sectors know what will make the cut with your government?” she asked. “They need clarity and certainty.”
She further warned that insufficient consultation with Indigenous communities could lead to court challenges of projects approved under the legislation.
In addition, Stubbs cited what she described as a backlog of 72 natural resource projects “in limbo,” with 11 referrals and no clear construction timelines, calling on the government to amend laws and regulations to provide more certainty for proponents.
Stubbs also criticized the closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre in Lacombe County, a facility that has operated for more than a century and supported Lakeland College’s pulse and special crops research program. She said the decision was made without meaningful consultation with producers and would harm Alberta’s agricultural sector and Canada’s food security.
On Feb. 24, marking four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Stubbs expressed solidarity with Ukrainians in her riding and across the country, noting Lakeland has one of the highest proportions of Ukrainian Canadians among federal ridings.
“For these four long years, Ukrainians have shown what resilience, courage and grit are really all about,” she said.
Stubbs also highlighted her support for several Conservative motions, including proposals to remove the GST on Canadian-made vehicles, eliminate subsidies for foreign-made electric vehicles, impose tougher sentencing for certain violent offences and halt the Interim Federal Health Program.
She said she will continue to hold the Liberal government to account on energy, natural resources and agricultural issues affecting Lakeland families and businesses.
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