FORT MCMURRAY — Laila Goodridge says federal policies have stalled billions of dollars in oil and gas investment and are undermining Canada’s economic growth, energy independence and sovereignty.
In a social media post shared Wednesday, the Fort McMurray–Cold Lake Conservative MP said that “after over a decade of Liberal anti energy laws, over $176 billion worth of oil & gas projects have been shelved.”
She said the loss of investment is “hurting our economic growth, energy independence and sovereignty,” and called for a significant change in federal policy toward the energy sector.
“We need government to get out of the way and allow shovels in the ground,” Goodridge wrote.
Her comments come as debate continues over the pace and scope of energy development in Canada, particularly in Western provinces that rely heavily on oil and gas investment. Industry groups and conservative politicians have argued federal environmental regulations, assessment processes and emissions policies have discouraged major projects.
A graphic included with Goodridge’s post lists numerous cancelled or shelved energy projects across Canada between 2015 and 2020, including
liquef
ied natural gas facilities, pipeline proposals and oilsands developments. The projects span several provinces and territories and collectively exceed $176 billion in proposed investment, according to the figures cited.
The Liberal government has said regulatory reforms are intended to balance economic development with environmental protection and Indigenous consultation, while maintaining that major energy projects can still proceed under the current framework.
Goodridge said Ottawa’s approach has had the opposite effect, pushing investment away from Canada at a time of strong global demand for energy.
The Fort McMurray region remains closely tied to the oil and gas sector, and local officials have repeatedly warned that prolonged investment uncertainty poses risks to jobs and long term economic stability in northern Alberta.
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