Much Needed! What People Are Saying About the Canadian Energy Centre

Here are what others involved with Canada’s oil and gas industry, and those who have shared their stories with the CEC’s audience, have to say about the Centre:

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“The time and effort that the Canadian Energy Centre spent in getting to know the Wet’suwet’en people and our communities was something that you do not see very often. At all times they were sensitive and respectful to the dynamic nature of local community issues, and double checked that the information about us in each article was presented accurately as to not accidently add or inflame the issues in our community.  They offered the Wet’suwet’en people several articles that celebrated us, our businesses, and members who have chosen to welcome the opportunity to work with Coastal GasLink and Canadian energy as a part of our local Indigenous economies.”

Bonnie George – Witset First Nation, British Columbia

“The Canadian Energy Centre is an informative organization that has provided fact-based information about our energy sector broadly within Canada and has been a wealth of information to our Indigenous communities. This is information that many if not all our communities did not have access to. Without organizations like the CEC, it would be difficult to obtain pertinent information about our energy sector and the positive impacts it has on our communities. Knowledge is key. The more we inform and teach our younger generation about energy literature, the better off our unborn will be.”

Chris Sankey, Chief Executive Officer for Blackfish Enterprises and Chairman of Blackfish Industries; Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former Elected Councillor for the Lax Kw’alaams Band

“The Canadian Energy Centre continues to be a strong advocate for the importance of Indigenous opportunity in the energy sector to help pull our people out of poverty and provide more purpose in their lives. We look forward to leveraging the combined work of the Centre, industry, government and other organizations to develop an urgent new strategy to rebrand the energy sector in the eyes of the world. We must stand united to fight for the truth to ensure Indigenous communities are true partners in energy prosperity.”

Dale Swampy, President of the National Coalition of Chiefs

“I can barely put into words how much we appreciate what the Canadian Energy Centre did in supporting Ontario workers and their families during the ongoing Line 5 debacle. Canada, our industry, our future and our labour force are incredibly well-served by the CEC. Nobody else does what the CEC is doing. They’re getting out great, fact-based information about Canadian energy and the opportunities we have to meet the growing demand from around the World. Necessary and impactful work.”

Scott Archer, Business Agent with UA Local 663 in Sarnia, Ontario (United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada)

“The world is currently grappling with energy shortages and skyrocketing energy costs. This is because the determination to replace fossil fuels has outpaced the development of suitable alternatives. At this time, the Canadian Energy Centre is more important than ever as a source of foundational facts and analysis to ensure the ongoing energy transition is based upon sound information leading to the implementation of effective but appropriately paced public policy.”

David Yager, energy policy analyst – oil & gas writer and author

“I’ve never been able to figure out why it took so long to have an organization that does the work of the Canadian Energy Centre. Crude oil is Canada’s biggest export, and there is not a single citizen who does not benefit from this. Improving the dialogue about energy requires ensuring the full set of facts is available. This is what we see from the CEC. Alberta also has a Soybean Education Institute. Switzerland has the Institute of Swiss Watchmaking. There is even a Silicon Valley Education Foundation. The CEC’s start-up kinks of almost two years ago are long past. There is every reason to have the CEC as an educational venture devoted to Alberta oil & gas.”

Stewart Muir, founder and executive director of the Vancouver-based Resource Works Society

“The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers continues to be supportive of the Canadian Energy Centre filling a much-needed space in the conversation about energy today. Albertans and Canadians need more facts, more research and more balanced information about Canada’s energy industry to help make better-informed decisions about our country’s economic future.”

Tim McMillan, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

“The work the Canadian Energy Centre is invaluable, not just to Alberta, but to the entire country. I have used the CEC’s material many times. The CEC is in the business of helping Canadians understand the value and importance of the energy industry, and they do it very well.”

Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy

“The CEC exists at a pivotal time in our energy industry’s existence where voices that haven’t been heard are being elevated through the stories, research, and advocacy being done at the centre. The word Indigenous had rarely been mentioned in positive light, which led to false narratives characterizing Indigenous participation in the industry. It has been through, in part, the focus the CEC has placed on highlighting Indigenous ingenuity, innovation, and leadership within the sector that is creating a measurable and impactful change towards an accurate and fulsome representation of the role Indigenous people are playing in this industry. Uncovering and advocating on behalf of these truths is something that I am proud to have been a part of during my time at the Canadian Energy Centre.”

Greg John, diversity, equity and inclusion/Indigenous relations specialist