Alberta CEOs in Ottawa to find common ground on energy, climate and economy

Cenovus Energy's Alex Pourbaix said business leaders are keen to focus on policy, rather than 'the political issues that could work more to separate us than bring us together.'

More than 50 Alberta CEOs, entrepreneurs and industry leaders are in Ottawa this week in an effort to raise the profile of their province and promote “collaboration” on issues related to energy, climate and the economy.

Led by a consortium of Alberta economic development agencies, chambers of commerce and policy organizations, the delegation includes executives from some of the province’s biggest corporations as well as startups from a range of industries.

Organizers say it is the largest business delegation to Ottawa from Alberta in recent memory. The group — which has dubbed itself the “One Alberta, One Canada” delegation – has meetings and events scheduled with a number of cabinet ministers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the delegation at an evening reception.

“I don’t know the last time I ever recall this big a group of executives and companies coming to Ottawa,” said Cenovus Energy executive chair Alex Pourbaix, a member of the delegation, in an interview from Ottawa Tuesday.

“We’re first trying to educate people out here about the diversity of businesses and opportunity in Alberta – and on top of that, you know, there are a lot of issues at play right now.”

The business leaders’ trip to Ottawa comes amid souring relations between Alberta’s UCP government and the federal Liberals.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has threatened to use the province’s Sovereignty Act to challenge the federal government’s clean electricity regulations. She also caused a national stir recently by detailing how the province could exit the Canada Pension Plan.

This week, Alberta government-funded ads about the perceived risks of federal emissions reduction policies rolled out across a number of markets _ including in Ottawa, where the province has paid to plaster trucks with banner ads warning passersby that the federal plan will lead to higher electricity bills.