Sierra Club Canada Responds to First Set of Nation Building Projects

For immediate release: September 12, 2025

“Sierra Club Canada strongly encourages the federal government to prioritize nature restoration and climate change resiliency when considering nation building projects  Clearly, this was not the criteria used for many of the projects on the major projects lists announced yesterday – such as LNG, small modular reactors, and Gull Island mega-hydro. Our best path forward as a country is to restore our relationship with nature and each other, and we will be working to advance projects that align with those values, and to work with allies to oppose projects that do not meet these criteria.” – Gretchen Firzgerald, Executive Director

“We were relieved to see Bay du Nord was not on the nation building projects list because nation building should signal the future – projects like Bay du Nord will take us backwards and won’t meet the current demands for renewable energy sources. Skill transfer and upskilling workers needs to be part of national building so we can build the infrastructure needed to support our growing communities. Municipalities hit hard by wildfires, water shortages,and storms need support both to respond and be part of building climate resilient communities.  If not, we are going to be left behind again just like in the cod collapse- both as a province and a country. ” – Kassie Drodge, Energy Transition and Advocacy Coordinator, Sierra Club Canada Foundation

“Wind West was identified as one of the second tier of projects the federal government will be considering as a project of national interest – but Newfoundland and Labrador seems to be MIA on offshore wind despite our experience in offshore energy development. We need to see Newfoundland and Labrador advancing this opportunity through strong regional collaboration, and by engaging local communities and affected industries here in the province. The benefits of offshore wind projects that are developed in transparent and meaningful consultation with our communities could be immense in terms of a resilient and reliable grid, and strengthening communities ability to respond to increasing climate threats – but it needs to be done right.” – Shauna Kelly, Offshore Wind Coordinator, NL.

“Regarding Darlington New Nuclear, trying to fast track an American reactor with no approved design is like throwing money away.  Nuclear electricity costs more than renewables, reactors always go over budget and behind schedule, and managing their waste is a nightmare.” – Ole Hendrickson, National Conservation Committee Chair.

-30-

For more information please contact: Media@sierraclub.ca