The world is changing rapidly. In response, Canada is focused on what we can control: building a stronger, more independent and more sustainable economy. As part of that plan, we are expanding and strengthening our international trade energy exports. Canada has what the world wants, and providing Canadian energy to our allies reinforces global energy security, domestic prosperity and Canada's position as an energy superpower.
Today, The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a binding agreement between Ksi Lisims LNG and Germany's Uniper SE. This first-of-its-kind deal will see Uniper purchase two million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of Canadian LNG for up to 20 years, with first deliveries expected to begin in 2032.
These deliveries will benefit customers in Uniper's core markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden and the Netherlands. For decades, Canada relied almost entirely on the U.S. market for its natural gas exports. Locking in long-term contracts with European allies broadens our customer base, giving Canadians greater economic and job stability and increased trade sovereignty. This deal supports the federal government's trade diversification agenda, enabling us to go from less than 0.01 percent of our natural gas exports being sent to non-U.S. markets in 2024 to an estimated 55 percent by the early-to-mid 2030s.
Led by the Nisga'a Nation, Ksi Lisims LNG is a $30-billion project that will be Canada's second-largest LNG facility, with the potential to represent 13 percent of Canada's total natural gas exports by the early-to-mid 2030s. It will also be one of the world's lowest-emission LNG operations, with emissions 94 percent below the global average. It was referred to the federal Major Projects Office in November 2025.
This agreement follows on the landmark first Canada-Europe LNG letter of interest reached in May 2026 of a potential 20-year agreement between Ksi Lisims LNG and Germany's SEFE to supply one million tonnes of LNG per year from Canada to Europe - meaning that a quarter of Ksi Lisims' LNG is now tapped for Canada's European allies.
Today's agreement marks an important step for the Nisga'a Nation and for Ksi Lisims LNG, one that is expected to drive significant economic activity, create thousands of jobs in British Columbia and contribute $15 billion to Canada's GDP.
The signing of this agreement demonstrates how Canada is taking decisive action to responsibly unlock our natural resources, build in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, strengthen our economic security and deliver low-carbon growth that supports jobs, diversifies trade and catalyzes long-term prosperity.
