Prime Minister Mark Carney Holds Energy Roundtable in Calgary

Prime Minister Mark Carney recently met with oil and gas executives in Calgary to discuss partnerships and gather input for his plans to position Canada as an energy superpower. This marked Carney’s first visit to Calgary since taking office.

The closed-door roundtable included over two dozen members of the energy sector, such as Tourmaline Oil CEO Michael Rose, Pathways Alliance President Kendall Dilling, ATCO CEO Nancy Southern, Imperial Oil President John Whelan, and Cenovus Energy President Jon McKenzie.

During the meeting, Carney expressed gratitude to the attendees for their contributions to the country’s economy and future. He acknowledged receiving letters from some of the executives, prompting the need for a more detailed discussion on crucial issues.

Thirty-eight CEOs of Canadian energy companies had previously sent a letter to Carney congratulating him on his election win and proposing policy measures to boost the economy. Suggestions included eliminating the federal emissions gap on oil and gas producers, repealing industrial carbon pricing, and revising key acts related to project assessments and oil tanker regulations.

Carney campaigned on expediting reviews of major energy projects, emphasizing a streamlined approach for assessments. The federal government had also introduced emissions cap regulations to reduce upstream oil and gas emissions by 35% below 2019 levels by the early 2030s.

During the roundtable, Carney highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing Canada’s energy goals. He was joined by Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith commended Carney for his engagement with provincial leaders on energy issues and expressed optimism about future collaboration. She stressed the significance of pipelines in efficiently transporting oil and gas to market.

Carney also recognized the efforts of the Department of National Defence, provinces, and volunteers in combating wildfires and managing evacuations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting these ongoing efforts.

As discussions around energy policy continue, Carney’s focus on partnerships and collaboration with industry stakeholders underscores the government’s commitment to advancing Canada’s position as an energy superpower.