Dennis sat down to discuss his newest book, Carbon Change: Canada on the Brink of Decarbonization, available now online and in-store.

• Dennis details his motivations to write this book
• The major arguments he makes with regards to Canada’s current plan for decarbonization
• The major conclusions he draws from these arguments
• And most importantly, why this extremely timely book is a must-read for all Canadians.

Dennis, since our last podcast we have had some momentous developments around Biden and KXL, can you give us your analysis of why the permit was revoked, and the implications?

• Obviously, this is a difficult situation for the Alberta government, what do you see it doing over the rest of 2021?
• And the Trudeau government?

2020 is a year we all want behind us for many reasons. So much has unfolded since our last podcast this will be a very full year end to get through. Let's begin:

• US election implications – KXL most of all
• Trudeau virtue signalling – Zero net emissions and UNDRIP
• The $170/tonne solution –  Liberals all in on Paris
• Conservative response, Canadian business elites?
• 2021 key indicators – Georgia run-offs, Covid vaccine roll out, crude demand restored

Jean-François Thibault is a energy news commentator who appears frequently in various written and spoken media in Quebec.

• Energy East is a symbol of different things to different parts of the country, what do you think its demise means to Quebec?
• All projects have specific aspects of their development and implementation that become problematic, in the case of Energy East, there was the impact on gas consumers from taking existing gas transmission infrastructure out of service and convert to oil transport. How big a factor was this?
• What is your opinion of how the Trudeau government handled this project? It's apparent willingness to extend a de facto veto to Quebec, notwithstanding federal jurisdiction. Its changing of the rules on the regulatory process after literally billions has been spent.
• Energy East was always a project that was a third best option, in my view, in terms of required infrastructure, but it did have real shipping agreements underpinning it commercially. It provided real optionality and benefits to Quebec and Eastern Canada. And with minimal engineering risks, compared to crossing the Coastal Mountains.  Why was this gift horse treated in such a hostile fashion?

Conversation covered a few developments that have evolved over the last couple of weeks. Including: 

• This week the new Conservative leader, Erin O’Toole, clarified that he would be committed to have Canada meet its Paris emission reduction targets. What is your reaction to this?
• Biden’s lead is holding in the US Presidential election. What does his election mean in respect of climate policy?

Discussion covers these topics:

• Dennis, it has been almost six months since our last podcast, pre COVID, can you elaborate on what has unfolded over that time period as it has effected Canadian hydrocarbons and national climate policy?
• What do you see as the likely scenarios unfolding in 2021 for Canadian hydrocarbons and climate policy, especially after recent events in Ottawa related to  the Morneau resignation
• Alberta, how bleak?
• Common ground on policy in Canada? Going into 2021?

Obviously some difficult circumstances have unfolded. Dennis can you provide an overview/understanding?

In this conversation, Dennis is asked his opinion on...

• TMX developments
• Teck approval
• The looming Federal Budget
• And lastly, federal Conservative leadership and climate policy

In this conversation, Dennis is asked...

• A lot of consternation in Alberta after the election, and the fate of its core industry, what is your view of what are Alberta’s real options?
• What is the capacity of Alberta’s political leadership to make any substantive progress? Or will they make this worse?

• With the federal election over, what does this mean for Alberta and its hydrocarbon industry?
• Specifically, for the Alberta government where is this going?
• Does Trudeau build TMX within the next 2 years?