Quebec, which has long opposed new oil and gas pipelines, may reconsider its stance in response to threats from US President Donald Trump.Quebec Environment Minister Benoit Charette stated that the provincial government is open to revisiting two previously rejected energy infrastructure projects.
One is TC Energy Corp.’s Energy East pipeline, which was abandoned in 2017 due to regulatory challenges and strong political opposition in Quebec. The other is GNL Quebec’s proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline and export terminal in the Saguenay region, which was rejected by both federal and provincial authorities over environmental concerns.
Charette said both projects would be rejected under current terms but could be reconsidered if improved.His remarks highlight how Trump’s tariff threats have shifted Canada’s political landscape. Trump has also suggested Canada should become a US state—an idea widely rejected.
A pre-inauguration Ipsos poll found 80% of Canadians opposed it.Quebec-born Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told a Montreal business audience that Trump’s threats could influence Quebeckers’ views on fossil fuel projects.“It’s a question people here need to consider,” Joly said. “At the same time, we have environmental goals and must cut CO2 emissions. I’m very curious—does recent events change the situation?”South Bow Corp., the oil pipeline firm spun off from TC Energy, declined to comment on Energy East.
TC Energy, which owns the gas pipeline that would have been converted for oil transport, did not respond to requests for comment.
