Just as climate change is a global challenge, climate action is a global solution. Tackling this challenge will require many actors—investors, innovators, business leaders, policymakers, and advocates, among others—to work towards our common goal: to reduce emissions globally. The Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero Alliance is a groundbreaking and historic initiative that proposes multiple solutions embedded within Canada’s oil sands to drive down emissions and help the oil sands become net zero by 2050.

Leaders from three of the six-member companies—Martha Hall Findlay (Suncor), Pam McIntyre (Canadian Natural Resources), and Rhona del Frari (Cenovus)—join the show to discuss the Pathways initiative, the opportunity within the oil sands, and what we need to reach the goal of net-zero.

The economy may be close to back to normal, but daily life sure isn’t. In this episode, BCA economists Alicia Planincic and Mike Holden join Scott and Brittany to break down the data you need to know about Alberta’s economy—unemployment, labour shortages, return to normal daily activities, inflation—and how the pandemic has shifted our understanding of economics.

What’s on the minds of Albertans heading into 2022? From questions around COVID, to thoughts on the economy and education, to better understanding Alberta’s place in Canada, we spoke with renowned Alberta pollster, Janet Brown of Janet Brown Opinion Research to answer these questions and understand what exactly Albertans are focused on the most to start off the new year.

We’re closing out our 2021 podcast season with some reflections on the past year, from the big events to policy wins for Albertans, and giving listeners a sneak preview of what BCA will be working on in 2022, featuring special guest, BCA’s President, Adam Legge

In our final episode of the 2021 season, we’re speaking with a CEO that almost needs no introduction. Nancy Southern has long been a pillar in Alberta’s business community, marked by her impressive track record, expanding global footprint of companies, and even more so, by her passion for her province and its people. This episode covers her career journey, why she founded the Business Council of Alberta, and why she is so optimistic about Alberta’s future.

As one of Canada’s largest integrated energy companies, Suncor has long been the energy supplier of choice in Canada—and is now emerging as a leader in developing low-carbon fuels and emissions reduction technologies. And at the helm of this evolution is long-time energy leader, Mark Little. In this episode, Mark talks his career journey, Suncor 4.0, emissions reduction and clean energy investments, and the groundbreaking Oil Sands Pathway to Net Zero alliance.

These days, you might find it more challenging to find your favorite product at your local boutique or grocery store or even to purchase a laptop or phone for work. You have supply chain disruptions to thank for that. Supply chains are a complex network, and when they experience disruptions, the challenges ripple out to a lot of different businesses and people. Marcela Mandeville, global trade expert and CEO of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs joins the show to shed some light on the issue and share some potential solutions.

Imagine starting your CEO career just a few months before the pandemic hit. Scott Bolton took the reigns of UFA’s top job just a few months before COVID was declared a pandemic and has guided the organization through some tough and uncertain times while remaining relentlessly optimistic about the opportunity and story of Alberta’s agriculture sector. This is his story.

Affordable child care is certainly good economic policy; however, different measurements of “affordability” can have different policy implications. On this episode, researchers Rob Buschman (University of Alberta) and Gordon Cleveland (University of Toronto) discuss the different measures of affordability of child care, accessibility and availability, and the impact of child care policy on broader society.

As vaccinations become more important to the health, safety, and sustainability of our economy, employers of all sizes are weighing impacts and risks of implementing employer vaccination policies. Jillian Frank, Chief Talent and Practice Officer at Dentons Canada LLP shares insight into the steps, considerations, and decisions the company’s leadership team took to establish its temporary vaccination program—and shares some best practices and advice to leaders looking to implement their own programs.