When I agreed to moderate a panel at the Canada–China Energy Innovation and Investment Forum during this year’s Global Energy Show in Calgary, I anticipated a standard industry gathering — perhaps 50 to 80 attendees exchanging polite nods over lukewarm coffee. Instead, I found myself standing before a completely packed conference hall of over 400 people, shoulder to shoulder with entrepreneurs, executives, and policymakers.
The sheer turnout was not just surprising; it was a signal. After years of frosty diplomacy and mutual suspicion, Canada and China are quietly getting back to business in the energy sector, and they are doing so with a refreshing sense of pragmatism.
As someone who has spent more than two decades facilitating Canada–China energy and environmental exchanges — serving as a senior advisor to both the federal government in Ottawa and the Alberta provincial government, as well as to major Canadian energy players — I have seen these cycles of interest before. But this felt different. The atmosphere was devoid of the moral grandstanding or geopolitical suspicion that has often poisoned the well. Instead, the conversation was rooted in one thing: measurable value.
The tone was set immediately by the officials present. The People’s Republic of China consul general and the Alberta provincial representative did not lecture; they talked like business people. The focus was on enterprise collaboration, investment, job creation, and the hard realities of new technology deployment. This pragmatic spirit carried through the keynote addresses.
The heads of PetroChina Canada and LNGC (LNG Canada) did not speak in abstract terms. They spoke of growth trajectories and market necessity. We were reminded that over 50 per cent of the volumes on the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline are now destined for Chinese buyers, fetching prices significantly higher than those available in the U.S. market. Since starting operations last summer, LNGC has already shipped 100 cargoes to the Asia–Pacific.
With Prime Minister Mark Carney now listing LNG Canada Phase II as his government’s top national infrastructure priority, and with several West Coast LNG startups racing to secure final investment decisions, the urgency to lock in Asian buyers has never been greater. These projects are not threats to our sovereignty; they are customers, investors, taxpayers, and job creators in Canada’s most vital economic sector.
Our panel, focused on next-generation energy systems — covering infrastructure, electrification, and AI — further underscored this shift. We moved beyond the old debate of oil versus renewables and focused on integration. The discussion highlighted how AI is finally being judged by its ROI (Return on Investment), meaning it must save money or increase efficiency to survive.
A New Era of Pragmatism
The forum demonstrated that Canada and China can collaborate on energy without ideological baggage. The focus on measurable outcomes, such as job creation and technology deployment, suggests a mature approach to bilateral relations. As global energy markets evolve, this pragmatic partnership could serve as a model for other sectors.
Key Takeaways from the Forum
- Over 400 attendees, far exceeding expectations, signaled strong interest in Canada-China energy cooperation.
- Chinese buyers now account for more than half of Trans Mountain pipeline volumes, at premium prices.
- LNG Canada has shipped 100 cargoes to Asia-Pacific since starting operations.
- Phase II of LNG Canada is a top national priority for Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- Next-gen energy systems, including AI, are being evaluated based on ROI and efficiency gains.
