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Alberta

ACAC happens upon a workable provincial remedy to a world-wide conundrum

Published

5 years ago

4 minute read

Hints, rumours and pure nonsense are being shuffled like an endless deck of cards as sports officials keep looking for a wild card that would help to clarify the road back to what once was considered a normal – or at least near-normal – state of affairs.

The same is true in the real world, of course, but this space sees more reason every day to puzzle over the wisdom of trying to save all these schedules. At this moment, painful or not, it seems that the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference has happened upon a workable provincial remedy to a world-wide conundrum.

Earlier this week, the University of Alberta decision to wipe out at least six major sports resulted in emotional responses that reached wall to wall for sports. Now, the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference takes another logical step by announcing a plan to conduct events almost solely in April, May and June.

Unaffected, for example, are soccer and the other events normally scheduled in the opening semester: “Their schedules (in a normal year) would be totally finished by then,” said executive director Mark Kosak.

It is considered possible that “between 12 and 16 games” of volleyball, basketball, perhaps even men’s and women’s hockey, could be played during that period. “Other tournament-style sports like curling and golf could be accommodated at the same time.” One essential commitment is to avoid conflicts between athletics and the important job of focusing on exams and other year-end functions.

Kosak confirmed that high-level school and conference officials have spoken in favour of a decision like this one.

“They respected that it would be our (athletic) decision, but it was clear that nobody wants an outbreak of any type on campus. This did not make the decision any easier. “The last thing we want to do is make it harder for our student-athletes,” he repeated. “Their disappointment and frustration has been heard.”

Certainly, some ACAC athletes will be unable to compete during the latest stage of their school year. Many must be committed to jobs away from school at that time. “We understand. Our athletes don’t want disruptions like this; neither do we.”

One other major provision, recognizing cost factors and other elements, has been introduced so institutions are free to opt out of the existing plans for a year. “The option was provided to all of our members and one school – the Camrose campus of the University of Alberta – has already accepted that option,” Kosak said.

This sort of delay might be a separate long-term benefit for the Augustana Vikings. Alumni members confirmed last month that several had been working extremely hard for enough financial and community support to delay a probable decision to wipe out men’s hockey despite the storied history of the Vikings and the once-renowned Viking Cup international tournament.

Kosak, ever the optimist, spent a few moments on an overview of these difficult times in post-secondary sports administration. He found a tiny benefit: “It is not easy to seek and find decisions like this, but it’s certainly a challenge . . .  all these variables and unknowns to deal with.”

And what is sport, after all, but a challenge?

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Alberta

Big win for Alberta and Canada: Statement from Premier Smith

Published on April 2, 2025

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Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:

“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.

“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.

“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.

“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.

“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.

“As it appears the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us (though there is still work to be done), it is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower.”

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Alberta

Energy sector will fuel Alberta economy and Canada’s exports for many years to come

Published on April 2, 2025

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From the Fraser Institute

By Jock Finlayson

By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.

Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.

In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.

Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.

The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.

Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.

Jock Finlayson

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
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