HuffPost British Columbia and CP by Lauren Krugel.  

Jim Prentice, LNG Exports, Minister, Canada, Photo by Dave HarbourThere's nothing more urgent right now for Canada than to get into the liquefied natural gas export game, CIBC executive and former federal Conservative cabinet minister Jim Prentice (NGP Photo) said Wednesday.

"LNG growth is unfolding in real time, all around the world. The lion's share of investment is up for grabs. The biggest winners are far from being determined," he said in prepared remarks to the Canada LNG Export Forum.

"For Canada, nothing is more urgent right now than getting in the game."

Canada needs to "push ahead with a much greater sense of urgency," or risk having Asian buyers seek supplies from competitors such as Australia and the United States instead, he said.