Letter from Canada: Alberta’s petchems strategy could backfire
The Kenney administration seems to be ignoring any warning signs on future demand growth
The Alberta government has tried numerous times to diversify away from oil and gas since the oil price shocks of the 1970s made the industry the mainstay of the provincial economy. Most efforts were dismal failures—including a mobile phone company, a hazardous waste treatment plant, a pulp mill and a magnesium smelter. Those failures have led to recent administrations pursuing other avenues to diversify the economy within the energy sector itself, in particular the petrochemical industry. The provincial administrations of Premier Jason Kenney and his predecessor, Rachel Notley, have rolled out several programmes to encourage companies to build new plants in the province. Edmonton appears t
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
