While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Kyle Bakx.
There were high hopes when the Alberta government launch the Heritage Savings Trust Fund in 1976. As the federal government embarks on launching a national sovereign wealth fund, Ottawa could seek lessons from the handling of Alberta’s fund to help ensure it becomes a success. Alberta launched its sovereign wealth fund decades ago, but provincial governments regularly dipped their hands...
'The tide is definitely changing here,' says analysts as foreign interest grows. After selling off a large chunk of its Canadian assets nearly a decade ago, U.K.-based energy giant Shell is now expanding its operations in Alberta and British Columbia by acquiring Calgary-based ARC Resources for $22 billion. It is the latest in a series of deals in the Canadian...
Canadian oil producers will provide a first glimpse this week of how the spike in energy prices is boosting their bottom line — and what they plan to do with the bumper profits. Companies are releasing financial results for the first three months of the year, covering a period when oil prices were relatively low in January and February before...
As gasoline prices keep ticking higher toward $2 a litre and diesel sits near $2.50, there is little relief for Canadian drivers as the global energy crisis grows with no end in sight to the Iran war. The conflict continues to choke transit through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil and natural...
Challenges in Venezuela include ongoing safety concerns, an unstable government, massive investment required. When U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum travelled to Venezuela with oil and mining executives last month, he was trying to pitch them on the opportunity that exists in that country’s neglected oil and gas fields. Then last week at a conference in Houston, he again tried to...
Oil pipeline system connecting Alberta to West Coast was previously expected to fill up by 2027 or 2028 The Trans Mountain oil pipeline system is expected to operate at full capacity in April and into May as a result of energy disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. The pair of pipelines transport oil from Edmonton to a...
Oil and gas execs encouraged by policy changes, still want to see action to support energy sector expansion. In Texas this week for a global energy conference, the federal natural resources minister is proclaiming "Canada is back" and ready to bolster its energy sector and grow exports. The message by Tim Hodgson comes at a time when the world is...
Sovereign wealth funds will want to invest in new oil pipeline, Smith says. The first set of deadlines included in the energy and climate deal struck between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are not expected to be met, showing early challenges with the agreement that includes pursuing a new export pipeline from Alberta to the West...
North American oil prices climbed by more than one per cent on Monday following the upheaval in Venezuela over the weekend, while stock prices of some large Canadian oil and gas companies have fallen. A barrel of West Texas Intermediate, the North American benchmark, was trading about 1.5 per cent higher by midday, up nearly $1 to just over $5...
Instead of waiting months, a federal program is now taking years to process the applications of refugees who are living overseas and have a job waiting for them in Canada. As a result, some Canadian businesses are unable to fill positions, while skilled refugees are also in limbo and risk exploitation, arrest or detention. In 2018, the federal government launched...
A handful of proposed expansions to major pipelines in the country could noticeably increase the amount of oil that can be exported out of Western Canada. In total, they add up to the equivalent to constructing a large brand new pipeline. Enbridge is proposing four different expansions to its pipeline system, which is the largest in the country. The Calgary-based...
In a few weeks, the federal government will close a program that encourages homeowners to retrofit their properties through energy efficiency upgrades, such as improved insulation, window replacement and purchasing a heat pump. Homeowners involved with the program received an email on Wednesday from the federal government notifying them the Canada Greener Homes Loan would no longer receive applications after...
None of the major pipeline companies have announced new projects in Western Canada. For all the talk of whether Canada needs a new oil pipeline, there's one thing missing: a company wanting to build it. In June, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said there was "no proponent" and no proposal on the table by any company, but pledged, "There will be...
Pipeline is operating at about 80%, while tankers are only 70% full. A little more than one year after completing construction of the Trans Mountain expansion oil pipeline, the crown corporation is pursuing two different methods to increase how much oil can be exported. The move comes at a time when the pipeline still isn't operating at full capacity.
Projects in various stages of development could represent capital investment of $109 billion. A decade after a promised boom in the liquified natural gas industry failed to materialize, Canada has arrived at the starting line, rekindling some aspirations of becoming a major LNG player. The long-awaited LNG Canada project is now up and running — and there are six more...
The oilsands continue to pump out more crude and more greenhouse gas. Another year, another record for Alberta's oil industry. Oilsands production is on pace to reach an all-time high this year as production in northern Alberta is expected to grow by five per cent in 2025 compared to last year. The latest forecast released Wednesday by S&P Global Commodity...
Trade is the 'make or break issue' as world leaders gather in the Canadian Rockies, says expert. Global trade will be a major focus at next week's G7 summit as world leaders gather in Alberta, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be making his first appearance at a major international event since returning to the White House in January...
Tim Hodgson gets loud applause at sold-out event in downtown Calgary. The new federal energy minister delivered a boisterous speech in support of the country's energy sector on Friday morning, while highlighting his past involvement in the sector and the urgent need to build a variety of new energy projects. Tim Hodgson spoke to a business crowd, which gave him...
'He's been on a warpath against the energy industry for his entire career.' Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants the new leader of the federal Liberal Party to change its approach toward the oil and gas industry and its environmental policies. Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership on Sunday evening with an overwhelming majority of the vote of party members.
Alberta business and oilpatch leaders are returning home from Washington this week after the U.S. presidential inauguration festivities — and gritting their teeth after a roller-coaster of emotions. They arrived for the ceremony feeling anxious and concerned about the threat of tariffs on Canadian goods. Oil and natural gas are Canada's top export to our southern neighbours.
The cost of ground beef, steak and roasts has continued to rise this year, reaching historic levels on grocery store shelves. Retail beef prices fluctuate regularly, but have generally climbed throughout the last few years. The rising prices come on the eve of the busiest time for many grocers and meat shops in the leadup to the holiday season.
After raking in record profits, the oilpatch now faces cheaper commodity prices. Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and oil prices soared around the globe, the oil industry has enjoyed three highly lucrative years with historic profits. The sector is still posting robust profits, as seen this past week when companies unveiled their most recent quarterly earnings.
New solar and wind projects are under construction elsewhere. Eight months after the Alberta government lifted its moratorium on the development of new, large wind and solar electricity projects, investment has yet to return as companies choose instead to invest in other provinces. In Alberta, the wind and solar electricity sector has been weighed down not only by the lasting...
The Alberta government has officially handed back more than $137 million to the federal government after running out of time to spend the cash to clean up old oil and natural gas wells. Questions remain about why the provincial government was unable to use the much-needed funding, considering there are tens of thousands of inactive wells.
When WestJet's CEO openly criticized the federal government recently for hiking air travel fees, it wasn't that unusual. Airline and airport executives have long grumbled about all the fees charged to passengers when they buy a ticket. It's no secret that air travel in Canada is expensive compared to the rest of the world. Airports are a big piece of...
In her budget speech to the House of Commons on Tuesday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland took a moment to celebrate the finishing touch on expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. The controversial project has been plagued by delays and massive cost overruns, but Freeland instead focused on its completion, highlighting the: "talented tradespeople and the brilliant engineers who, last...
Despite growing frustrations and prolonged negotiations with the federal government, a consortium of Canada's largest oilsands companies is optimistic about having a "line of sight" in securing the certainty it needs from Ottawa to advance its proposed $16.5-billion carbon capture pipeline project. The Pathways Alliance is not expecting any new commitments in the upcoming federal budget, but is instead working...
Persistent and severe drought conditions across Western Canada could have a devastating effect on the oil and natural gas sector, which has drilling operations in some of the driest areas, according to a new report by Deloitte. Limited water supply could have significant effects on the production of oil and gas, the report warns, and the timing couldn't be worse...
The odyssey of developing and building the Trans Mountain expansion project in Western Canada is finally nearing the finishing line as sections of the pipeline begin filling with oil. The first export shipment will happen before Canada Day, the federal Crown corporation said, although Alberta's premier expects it could become operational as soon as May. The Trans Mountain is Canada's...
Several automakers are pulling back on plans to expand the amount of electric vehicles they produce in response to slowing sales that aren't expected to hit previous forecasts. At the same time, more models are coming to market and overall sales continue to grow year after year. That's why there's a mix of both optimism and pessimism surrounding the EV...
The Alberta government's seven-month ban on new large-scale wind and solar power projects will end this week, but the province is unlikely to return to its previous status as a hotbed of investment. Alberta is known for its sunshine and strong winds, especially in the southern region of the province. Those conditions combined with a deregulated electricity system helped drive...
Slumping oil prices are bringing some relief for drivers filling up their gas tanks this winter, but they're also delivering a financial hit to some provinces as they prepare their next budgets — notably Alberta. Oil prices have fallen by almost 40 per cent since reaching a high of more than $120 US per barrel in 2022. Oil was trading...
With the COP28 climate summit now in the rearview mirror, some researchers say the moment is here when coal consumption in power plants around the world will finally peak before beginning a perpetual fall. For more than a century, coal has been used to produce electricity, and to this day remains the workhorse of the global power sector and a...
After negotiators worked through the night, a new deal has been reached at COP28 which could signal the world's desire to move away from fossil fuels over the next few decades in an effort to address climate change. Representatives from nearly 200 countries gathered in a public meeting in Dubai to support the new deal, one day after the climate...
As the curtains are set to close on COP28, the oil and gas industry remains firmly in the crosshairs as nations deliberate whether an agreement can be reached to phase out fossil fuels. Throughout the two-week climate summit, environmental activists have unleashed a torrent of criticism toward the oilpatch, not only because the industry is a major contributor to global...
Environmental activists put a spotlight on Alberta's climate record on Wednesday at the COP28 climate summit by giving the province the so-called "Fossil of the Day" award. The Climate Action Network hands out the award daily at UN climate summits, but it's usually given to national governments, not a province or state. At previous summits, Canada was given the award...
The federal government is unveiling stricter oil and gas industry regulations with the goal of sharply reducing harmful methane emissions. The new rules were announced by federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, U.A.E., on Monday. The proposed regulations are similar to those announced in recent days by the United States and are designed to...
A few days before hosting the UN climate conference, allegations are being raised about COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber and his willingness to use climate meetings with foreign governments to make oil and gas deals, including with Canada. BBC News revealed the details on Monday in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Reporting. Al-Jaber already faced controversy for being chosen as...