Canada is pitching its energy ambitions in Texas — can the oil and gas industry be convinced?

In Texas this week for a global energy conference, the federal natural resources minister is proclaiming "Canada is back" and ready to bolster its energy sector and grow exports.

The message by Tim Hodgson comes at a time when the world is confronting an energy crisis caused by the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, which is raising fears of a spike in inflation and a possible global recession.

Though industry executives welcomed Hodgson’s enthusiasm at the CERAWeek conference in Houston and the overall direction of the government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, they still say they want to see considerable action before they'll be convinced the federal government is serious — both about becoming an energy superpower and changing the country’s reputation as being reluctant to expand energy supply and exports, especially oil and natural gas.

In particular, they point to past failed projects, including oil pipelines and LNG export facilities, something Hodgson was trying to counter with his message.

"We know that our allies desperately need our energy, and they desperately need our critical minerals. It's a matter of national security," said Hodgson, in an interview with CBC News in Houston.

He noted that the crowds at the energy conference and the level of interest in Canada are noticeably bigger than in years past. In Texas, he was joined by provincial politicians, including the conservative premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Alberta.

In previous years, provincial and federal politicians have often attended CERAWeek separately, and Hodgson said audiences at the conference seem to be struck by the display of unity in having both levels of government attend together.

"That's an opportunity," he said. "And I think 2026 will be when we take advantage of that opportunity."

Within Canada, the federal government's energy push has received a mixed response. Last summer, the federal Liberals passed legislation to fast-track nation-building projects, drawing criticism from opponents about how environmental reviews and Indigenous consultations could be weakened in favor of industrial development.

The federal government has introduced a swath of other changes, including the reduction of environmental policies such as the oilpatch emissions cap and signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta, which includes support for a possible new oil export pipeline to the B.C. coast. However, B.C.'s premier has continued to reject the idea of such a pipeline, instead suggesting the federal government invest in a refinery.

On stage at CERAWeek on Tuesday, the chief executive of Shell highlighted the opportunity for growth in Canada because of the low cost of natural gas and a change in government support for the industry.

Shell has the largest ownership stake in LNG Canada, which began exporting natural gas in B.C. last summer. The consortium of companies is weighing whether to greenlight an expansion.

"The underpinnings of that project continue to be very strong, which is plentiful gas supply in Canada, a government that is supportive now of major investment opportunities in the LNG value chain and a 10-day sailing time to Asia, which is today, of course, valued more than ever," said Shell CEO Wael Sawan.

The policy changes Ottawa has made will take time to translate into a faster permitting process, said TC Energy chief executive François Poirier, in an interview with CBC News in Houston.