The past several years has seen a strong focus on Canada meeting its climate change commitments through a series of regulations, taxes and mandates aimed at reducing carbon emissions and increasing electrification. However, with inflation and the corresponding cost of living crisis, the impetus has shifted towards a focus on bringing the trilemma of reliability, affordability and sustainability in better balance.
The Canadian energy sector is further being impacted by dramatic geopolitical shifts. China’s expansion and the trade policies of the Trump presidency will be particularly impactful for Canadian investors, producers and consumers.
Where does this leave Canada? The country’s energy sector is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in transforming energy systems and potentially, as a global supplier of choice for energy security. Updating and expanding the country’s energy infrastructure and production represents an unprecedented technical challenge, and opportunity, that will see trillions of dollars capital deployed.
However, update it must if the country is the reclaim its competitive edge and get growth rates in line with the United States and other leading economies.
At the 20th anniversary Calgary Energy Roundtable on Thursday, May 29th, a high-powered line-up of speakers shared their insights on these topics and how they are affecting the evolution of the Canadian energy sector and its role in the country’s, and the world’s, energy future. Topics included:
Thursday, May 29th, Imperial Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Calgary, 700 Centre Street S
| Conference MC | Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable | |
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7:15 am |
Registration opens. Breakfast served. |
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8:00 am |
Welcome remarks |
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| 8:05 am |
Panel discussion: The energy outlook. Canada’s oil and gas industry and drilling services sector has a favourable outlook for 2025. The province of Alberta has forecast oil and gas investment in Alberta will climb by seven per cent annually in 2025, reaching almost $35 billion. The key question for Canadian producers seems to lie more with political and regulatory risk, including the proposed federal emissions cap and Trump’s trade was, which will hit energy producers and exporters. A weakening Canadian dollar and an expansion of export capacity offer promise for energy demand. The panel will provide perspectives on oil and gas development in Canada going forward.
Discussion led by: Max Ettinger, Partner, Blake, Cassel’s & Grayson LLP |
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| 8:50 am |
Fireside chat: Canadian energy – a contrarian view
Discussion led by: Kevin Kerr, Partner, Blake, Cassel’s & Grayson LLP |
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| 9:15 am |
Panel discussion: Investor perspectives on Canadian energy. 2024 saw increased M&A activity in the energy sector, driven by companies seeking to achieve scale. Stability on crude pricing has supported deals. The gas side of the market has been hobbled by price volatility and doubts over future demand and the speed of LNG build-out. In 2023, Alberta accounted for more than 92% of Canada’s overall growth in renewable energy and storage capacity, with projects representing $33 billion of investment. The Alberta government’s moratorium on new wind and solar projects, which has since been lifted, pushed investment into other provinces. With the change of federal leadership and a Prime Minister promising to build big, build bold, and build now, will Canada become more or less attractive to foreign capital? The panel will provide investor perspectives on Canadian energy going forward.
Discussion led by: David Chelich, Global Head of Energy Business Development, TMX Group |
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10:00 am |
Networking break |
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| 10:30 am |
Panel discussion: Energy strategies for Canada. Canada holds vast, responsibly produced natural gas reserves but has yet to realize its potential as a global LNG exporter. While the U.S. has surged ahead, Canada lags behind on key infrastructure. This panel will examine how unlocking our energy potential is critical to enhancing energy and economic security – and how Canada can lead in supporting allies and advancing sustainable growth.
Discussion led by: Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce |
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| 11:05 am |
Video address:
Followed by a fireside chat with:
Discussion led by: Jennifer Ward, Partner, Energy, EY Canada |
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| 11:35 am |
Fireside chat: The critical nexus of energy and agriculture
Discussion led by: Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable |
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12:00 pm |
Luncheon |
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| 12:55 pm |
Keynote address
Followed by a fireside chat with: Lance Mortlock, Managing Partner, Industrials and Energy, EY Canada |
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| 1:25 pm |
Fireside chat: Leadership for a changing energy environment
Discussion led by: Vineeta Maguire, President & CEO, Energy Safety Canada |
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| 1:50 pm |
Panel discussion: Advancing major projects in Canada. In his first news conference after being elected, Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to build big, build bold, and build now. There is a renewed sense of optimism that Canada can get back to building major energy and resource projects and reverse the decline in investment that occurred over the past decade. Even the conversation around new pipelines in Canada has shifted markedly over the past six months, with nearly three-quarters of Canadians in support of an East-West pipeline for oil and liquefied natural gas according to a recent Nanos poll. Megaprojects TMX and Coastal Gas Link have been completed, with LNG Canada and Site C to soon follow. What will follow in the queue? The panel will examine how Canada can take advantage of this unique window of opportunity to advance major projects and diversify its energy and resource trade.
Discussion led by: Pierre Alvarez, Vice Chair, Global Public Affairs |
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| 2:35 pm |
Break |
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| 2:50 pm |
Panel discussion: Power and utilities – balancing the energy trilemma. Plentiful electricity provides a tremendous potential competitive advantage in a world focused on carbon reduction, including in the resource sector. However, as energy systems evolve, managing the tension between legacy assets and disruptive technologies is essential for the system as a whole to provide value and achieve decarbonization in a cost-effective manner. Canada and its trading partners are locked in an intense competition to draw high value manufacturing and services to their jurisdictions, including a boom in AI driven data centre growth. Panelists will examine to role of energy market design, incentives and infrastructure in creating a competitive, innovative ecosystem for citizens and industrial consumers alike.
Discussion led by: Nate Heywood, Managing Director, ATB Capital Markets |
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| 3:30 pm |
Panel discussion: Sustainable Energy Technologies: Enhancing Competitiveness and Environmental Outcomes. Maintaining competitiveness while reducing emissions is essential for Canada’s energy sector to remain a leading global provider of safe, affordable, and reliable energy. Companies on this session have successfully deployed emission reduction technologies in the oil and gas sector which have fuelled sustainability and competitiveness. The panel will explore how to overcome adoption barriers, attract capital, and continue to position Alberta, and Canada, as a hub for energy innovation.
Discussion led by: Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta |
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4:10 pm |
Close by Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable |
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| 4:15-6:00 pm | Networking reception |
