The geopolitics of energy and the implications for Canada

Energy services industry group’s president and CEO on Canada’s energy future

On this episode of The Newsroom, DOB Energy reporter Josh Skapin interviews Mark Scholz, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors. The CAOEC’s top executive will be discussing several issues, including the outlook for drilling activity in Western Canada, service-sector capacity and consolidation. The Newsroom is available on DOBEnergy.com [http://dobenergy.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16V0NOnPRqYxrSwLuVIc7e?si=OqDmOhNkSsCl0dLIkrAe0w&nd=1&dlsi=f8bf90f266784d66] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-newsroom-by-dob-energy/id1803214562]. Background reading: Canadian drilling activity climbs in May on Alberta surge [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/energy-services/2026/06/22/canadian-drilling-activity-climbs-in-may-on-albert]. Licence count for new oil/bitumen wells reaches four-yearhigh in May [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/energy-services/2026/06/15/licence-count-for-new-oilbitumen-wells-reaches-fou]. Episode producers: Stephen Marsters, Richard Macedo

The Alberta/federal deal and what it means for energy investment

On this episode of The Newsroom, DOB Energy reporter Josh Skapin interviews Gary Mar, president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation. He will answer questions on key energy trade and policy issues, including the Alberta and federal government’s energy deal and the state of energy investment in Canada. Mar is a former politician who served for several years as a prominent Alberta Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, holding multiple portfolios. He has also served as the Alberta government’s official representative in Washington, D.C. and its official representative in Asia. Background reading: The Alberta-federal carbon deal improves certainty but gaps remain [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2026/05/20/alberta-federal-carbon-deal-improves-certainty-but]. Time to act on new oil and gas infrastructure, says Alberta’s energy minister [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2026/05/20/time-to-act-on-new-oil-and-gas-infrastructure-says]. Carbon price and CCUS are big roadblocks in turning the MOU into new infrastructure [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2026/05/22/carbon-price-and-ccus-big-roadblocks-in-turning-mo]. Cost competitiveness is the biggest factor in growing exports, says Imperial’s Whelan [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2026/05/29/cost-competitiveness-biggest-factor-in-growing-exp]. B.C. letter to stakeholders outlining royalty shift is a step in the right direction: Canada West Foundation president [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2026/04/21/bc-letter-to-stakeholders-outlining-royalty-shift]. Episode producers: Stephen Marsters, Richard Macedo

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the challenges, opportunities for the energy industry

On this episode of The Newsroom podcast, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith joins DOB Energy editor Richard Macedo. The premier will answer questions about the challenges and opportunities ahead for Alberta’s energy sector, including its continuing push to diversify export markets. Background reading: Bringing the Canada-Alberta MOU to fruition, Part 1 – potential and impediments [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/author/vincent-lauerman/2026/01/12/bringing-the-canada-alberta-mou-to-fruition-part-1]. Bringing the Canada-Alberta MOU to fruition, Part 2 – a roadmap forward [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/author/vincent-lauerman/2026/01/15/bringing-the-canada-alberta-mou-to-fruition-part-2]. Our series on mature assets: Alberta’s proposed mature asset strategy targets left behind resources [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2025/09/23/albertas-proposed-mature-asset-strategy-targets-le]. Technology is the key to capturing more oil from mature assets [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2025/09/24/technology-key-to-capturing-more-oil-from-mature-a]. Increasing in-basin demand needed to extend life of mature natural gas assets [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2025/09/25/increasing-in-basin-demand-needed-to-extend-life-o]. Episode producer: Stephen Marsters

The geopolitics of energy and the implications for Canada

On the latest episode of The Newsroom podcast, DOB Energyreporter Josh Skapin is joined by Robert “RJ” Johnston, who is the director of energy and natural resources policy at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. Johnston, a recognized expert in global energy and natural resources policy and geopolitics, will discuss the changing dynamics in worldwide oil and gas flows and the implications for Canada. Background reading: Energy Minister Hodgson finishes trips to Warsaw and Paristo talk about projects with Poland, U.K., Ukraine and more [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/markets/2026/02/20/energy-minister-hodgson-finishes-trips-to-warsaw-a]. ‘Being an energy superpower runs through India,’ says energy minister [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/markets/2026/02/02/being-an-energy-superpower-runs-through-india-says]. Canadian oil to Asia is ‘kicking up.’ [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/markets/2026/02/06/canadian-oil-to-asia-is-kicking-up] Domestic refineries: How Venezuela’s return could impact Canada’s capacity debate [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/markets/2026/02/09/domestic-refineries-how-venezuelas-return-could-im]. Focus Asia: How U.S. pressure on Venezuelan crude opens Canadian export opportunities [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/markets/2026/02/03/focus-asia-how-us-pressure-on-venezuelan-crude-ope]. Venezuela’s oil recovery: Analysts see limited threat to Canadian heavy crude [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/markets/2026/01/28/venezuelas-oil-recovery-analysts-see-limited-threa]. Episode producers: Stephen Marsters and Richard Macedo

Sustainable Fixes To Canada’s Regulatory System

On the latest episode of The Newsroom podcast, KPMG’s Conor Chell, one of Canada’s leading environmental, social and governance lawyers, joins DOB Energy reporter Josh Skapin. Chell addresses a range of questions about Bill C-5, major project approvals, Indigenous consultation and why outcomes-based regulation may benefit the Canadian system. Background reading: Canada needs an outcomes-based regulatory approach [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2025/12/15/canada-needs-an-outcomes-based-regulatory-approach]. Mark Carney: Canada will build big, fast, bold [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2025/11/28/mark-carney-canada-will-build-big-fast-bold]. New bitumen pipeline would offer First Nations an ownership opportunity [https://www.dobenergy.com/news/headlines/2025/11/28/new-bitumen-pipeline-would-offer-first-nations-own]. Episode producers: Stephen Marsters, Richard Macedo