The 10th annual National Energy Roundtable conference on Thursday, November 20, 2025 will gather business leaders, innovators and policy makers for discussions on: Energy and national competitiveness
The past several years has seen a 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 the 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 Trump presidency are having a significant impact on the country.
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.
Canada must get back into the business of delivering major projects, including replacing aging infrastructure and developing the next generation of energy systems. This will be especially important if the country is to attract foreign capital and in the face of Trump’s trade war, pivot its manufacturing capacity to supporting areas ranging from western energy and resource mega projects, to technology and data centres.
Join the leaders shaping Canada’s energy future at the National Energy Roundtable conference and learn about the exciting advances that are driving Canada’s energy renewal and competitiveness. Topics will include:
SOCO Ballroom, Delta Hotel, 75 Lower Simcoe Street – Thursday, November 20
| MC | Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable | |
| 7:45 am | Registration opens. Breakfast will be available. | |
| 8:30 am | Welcome remarks | |
| 8:35 am | Panel discussion: Advancing major energy projects – Canada’s energy growth strategy 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 such as TMX and Site C have been completed, and major nuclear, grid and renewables investments underway. What will follow in the queue and will interprovincial cooperation or competition emerge? 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: tbc |
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| 9:15 am | Fireside chat: AI’s transformation of energy systems Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, touching almost every facet of our lives, as well helping to optimize complex energy systems. Beneath the surface of these applications lies a massive energy consumption network that powers AI’s increasing capabilities and reach. Data centres and “hyperscaler” facilities are the infrastructure meeting AI’s growing energy demands. The discussion will examine how Canada companies can provide the reliable, affordable, and lower-carbon energy needed to power AI’s future.
Discussion led by: Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable |
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| 9:45 am | Permitting reform and the need to “Build Big and Build Fast”
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| 10:15 am | Networking break | |
| 10:45 am | Panel discussion: The critical nexus of energy and manufacturing Canada and its trading partners are locked in an intense competition to draw high value extraction, manufacturing and data centres to their jurisdictions, as well as supply global energy and commodities markets. This competition has been dramatically escalated with Trump’s trade war. If US markets will be effectively closed to Canadian steel and aluminum exporters, Canadian energy projects present a compelling alterative if done at scale. Panelists will examine the critical nexus of manufacturing and energy and the tools that are available to advance the countries strategic interests.
Discussion led by: tbc |
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| 11:25 am | Natural gas – a bridge or the destination? Utility executives have long called natural gas a “bridge” to a carbon-free power grid. On one side lay a past of dirty coal plants; on the other, a clean future of renewables gradually stabilizing the climate. The power demand boom accelerated by things such as artificial intelligence has all but killed off the analogy. Some of those same executives now say gas will remain central to their plans for years to come. Additionally, Asian demand and the world class reserves in Alberta and BC means further runway for Canada’s LNG industry. This discussion will focus on the role of natural gas in Canada’s energy systems going forward.
Discussion led by: tbc |
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| 12:00 pm | Luncheon with address (at 12:45 pm)
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| 1:15 pm | IESO demand forecast update | |
| 1:35 pm | Fireside chat: Energy and resources – Canada’s trump card in a volatile world?
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| 2:00 pm | President & Chief Executive panel discussion A discussion regarding energy trends, challenges, and opportunities from a chief executive perspective.
Discussion led by: Dr. Lance Mortlock, Managing Partner, Energy and Resources, EY Canada |
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| 2:40 pm | Panel discussion: Large nuclear, SMRs and next-gen reactors Canada is uniquely positioned to be a major player in a global nuclear energy renaissance. Large scale refurbishments and new builds are either underway or have been announced. Ontario has approved its first SMR, with several other provinces having either announced, or exploring, developing SMRs. How can Canada build a robust national supply chain, including for fuels, and export strategy in the nuclear sector? The discussion will review these developments and discuss the implications for Canada’s nuclear industry.
Discussion led by: tbc |
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| 3:20 pm |
Break |
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| 3:40 pm | Panel discussion: Pan-Canada transmission and interties strategy The discussion will review the requirements for connecting renewable and nuclear-rich provinces to load centres. The session will also cover the role of the federal government, utilities, and Indigenous partners.
Discussion led by: tbc |
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| 4:20 pm | Panel discussion: Strategies to spur investments in tough to decarbonize sectors Can Canada effectively scale next gen fuels such as hydrogen, SAF and biofuels? The panel will review if current policy tools are sufficient to achieve decarbonization in hard to abate sectors, including lessons from the US IRA.
Discussion led by: tbc |
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| 5:00 pm | Close by Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable | |
| 5:30-7:00 pm | Networking reception in the SOCO Ballroom foyer |
*Programme is subject to change
Click here for photos from the 2019 National Energy Roundtable
