The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) invited Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston to take part in a written interview to discuss the province’s evolving energy landscape. Premier Houston shared his perspectives on natural gas development, energy affordability, and Nova Scotia’s long-term approach to economic and resource competitiveness.
Affordability is top of mind for many Nova Scotians. How could developing more of the province’s own natural gas help keep costs stable over the long term?
Right now, all the natural gas we use in Nova Scotia is extracted elsewhere and sold to us from the United States. This is despite us having enough natural gas to power Nova Scotia for thousands of years and to meet all of Canada’s demand for over 30 years. That’s like if we stopped harvesting blueberries in Nova Scotia and imported all of our blueberries from the United States at a premium. It doesn’t make sense. Producing and using the natural gas that Nova Scotia is blessed to have will provide us with an abundance of supply to stabilize prices and will reduce transportation and other costs.
The natural gas system in Nova Scotia is relatively new. What can the province do to support the expansion of the system to new industrial, Indigenous and rural communities?
Natural gas may be relatively new, but Nova Scotia once had a thriving offshore oil industry. Under Premier John Hamm in the late 90s and early 2000s it brought in over $4 billion in direct royalties to the Province that was used to pay doctors and nurses and invest in roads – all things we desperately need today. But it also did more than that. It created thousands of jobs that supported families. With Nova Natural Gas, we can do it again.
You recently launched a public awareness campaign, “Nova Natural Oil and Gas.” What are the biggest misconceptions you want to clear up, and why is public understanding so important right now?
For too long, Nova Scotia has had a culture of saying ‘no’ to taking advantage of our natural resources. This has led to investors having low confidence in their ability to get projects off the ground here and skepticism from the public towards entire industries that lazy government policies had put blanket bans on in the past. Our goal is to be a contributor to the country, so we no longer have to rely on the wealth of other provinces. By showing the benefits to Nova Scotians, we hope the public will be supportive of our province having the same economic opportunities that other provinces do.
You’ve made it clear that Nova Scotia is “open for business.” What are energy investors telling you they need, and how is your government working to give them the confidence to invest here?
I recently took on the mantle of Minister of Energy to send a message that unlocking Nova Scotia’s energy potential is a top priority. As Premier, I understand why investors didn’t have confidence in natural resources back when governments were afraid to even have these conversations. Our government has improved permitting processes, given approvals for new mining projects and expansions and I have personally been traveling to meet with industry representatives to tell them face-to-face that the opportunities in Nova Scotia are real.
Moving energy projects forward often requires strong federal–provincial cooperation. Where do you most need alignment from Ottawa to help Nova Scotia advance its plans?
The Prime Minister wants Canada to be an energy superpower. Nova Scotia can not only contribute, but between wind energy, tidal energy and natural gas we can be our own energy superpower within an energy superpower. The Prime Minister can support us to make this happen with support from its nation-building projects resources for Wind West, providing Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credits and confirming access to the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s low-interest financing.
(Premier, Prime Minister Discuss Next Steps for Wind West | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases)
We have seen the benefits of a clear policy on natural gas, including in Ontario where a Natural Gas Policy Statement was recently released. Are there any plans to have a similar statement for Nova Scotia?
Our government has laid out clear terms and conditions through an open and transparent call for bids through the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator. The call was issued on July 7th with a deadline of April 28, 2026.
European leaders are increasingly expressing a desire for Canadian natural gas. Can you see a future with an LNG export terminal for Europe operating out of Nova Scotia?
Absolutely. It’s estimated we have enough natural gas offshore to power Nova Scotia for thousands of years. That’s natural gas that can lower prices here at home with lots left over to export to our friends in other parts of Canada, our allies in Europe, and around the world. Making Nova Scotia an energy exporter would bring good jobs and economic benefits to our province.