Alberta is not the fiscally prudent jurisdiction it once was. This new consensuses comes from each of Moody's, Standard & Poor (S&P), and the Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS): the highest profile ratings agencies on the planet. Over the past month, downgrades and alarm bells have been sounded as the provincial government plans on running the largest deficit in Alberta's history and running the province into a negative net-debt position. S&P lowered Alberta’s long-term rating [Read more]
How 5 oil and gas companies have prepared for the NDP royalty and climate reviews
Oil and gas companies have had to delay and halt certain projects as they await the results from the impending Alberta royalty and climate change reviews. Here is how 5 intermediate/senior companies are preparing for the results and dealing with current political uncertainty. Encana Encana deferred investment plans in Alberta until the provincial government completes its royalty and climate change reviews. Chief executive Doug Suttles said the company is deferring the decision to build [Read more]
Alberta’s ‘poor environmental record’
Apparently Alberta has a poor environmental record. At least that's what the provincial NDP would like you to believe. Immediately after last week's decision by President Obama to deny the Keystone XL permit, Rachel Notley told reporters that Alberta must improve its environmental record. The suggestion sounds nice, but the provincial NDP have offered no examples of where our environmental record is lacking. The government's constant barrage on the oil and gas industry's environmental record [Read more]
CBC senior business correspondent shows lack of basic understanding of crude oil markets
Constructive dialogue is a necessary component for any discussion taking place on important issues. Be it the economy, an election, or foreign affairs: each warrants informed discussion at both the local and national level. The same can be said about Canada's energy sector. With the oil and gas industry being such a fundamental player to the overall Canadian economy, the importance of said dialogue cannot be understated. That said, it should come as no surprise that the key to constructive [Read more]