First Nations sign option for LNG Canada buy

First Nations sign option for LNG Canada buy-in

Published 2:15 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Five northwestern BC First Nations have signed an option they say will give them an ownership position within LNG Canada’s Kitimat natural gas liquefaction facility should the facility double in size.

The option, through a company called MNT Investments LP, would see it spend up to $1 billion for a majority stake in another company which would then purchase a storage tank that would be needed should construction of two additional ‘trains’ or processing units be approved.

The tank would then be leased back to LNG Canada for the life of the facility. LNG Canada would also operate and maintain the tank for the life of its facility.

The Kitsumkalum First Nation, the Kitselas First Nation, the Haisla First Nation, the Gitga’at First Nation and the Gitxaala First Nation make up the MNT limited partnership.

A final investment decision to double LNG Canada’s output to 28 million tonnes of LNG annually is anticipated by the end of the year.

LNG Canada began shipping its first cargoes of LNG just over a year ago. It has since been moving steadily toward its ability to make a final investment decision.

“This agreement recognizes that Indigenous nations should have the opportunity to participate in major investments like Phase 2, not only through jobs, training, procurement and community benefits, but also through long-term ownership and value creation at a global scale,” said LNG Canada president and CEO Chris Cooper.

Aaron Sinclair, who is with the economic development arm of the Gitxaala Nation, said MNT Investments LP is equally owned by the economic development entities of the participating First Nations.

“As a commercial enterprise, profits are shared equally,” he said.

MNT could spend less than $1 billion but a decision would be based on cost and available capital, he said.

The investment would be financed by a loan based on the long-term contracted revenue from leasing the tank back to LNG Canada.

“MNT is evaluating financing structures including available Indigenous loan guarantee programs. No decisions have been made and financing would be finalized in conjunction with a positive Phase 2 final investment decision,” he said.