While I’m opposed to the expansion of fossil fuel development, I see the logic behind this German/Canada LNG agreement. Right now, Canadian sovereignty is in the crosshairs. We have to do everything possible to veer away from our dependence on the US for defense and trade. In that context, this LNG agreement makes total sense in the global restructuring that’s now happening full steam ahead!

Full credit to Sweden. Its political class, its royal family and Saab itself showed remarkable patience. They waited more than five years for Canada to make a decision. And while the world kept reducing the conversation to Gripen — as if this were merely about a fighter jet sales order — Sweden was clearly after something larger.

They wanted a real partnership with Canada.

Sweden did not wait five-plus years just to book a few billion dollars in aircraft sales. The Prime Minister’s Office almost certainly understood that. Canada did not place the Gripen order. But it gave Sweden what Sweden was actually seeking:

A strategic partnership!

As if the Saab decision was not enough to make our jaws drop, Canada and Germany moved on energy.

Germany’s SEFE (a state owned energy company) and Canada’s Ksi Lisims LNG have agreed to pursue a long-term supply deal — a 20-year LNG arrangement that would give Germany access to Canadian gas and give Canada its first serious European LNG lane….

…Germany staring at two uncomfortable realities: a fragile Middle Eastern supply route and a dangerous level of dependence on the United States.

Now, Germany has Canada by its side.

Full credit to Germany for making this decision. This will give Berlin a ton of confidence, and I hope this is only the beginning. Germany should enter Canada as a serious energy partner. It should own things in Canada. It should build deep partnerships with Canadian companies. It should have presence, infrastructure, equity and long-term exposure.

That is good for Germany. It is good for Canada. It is good for the democratic world.