BY SHONDELL SABAD, SENIOR STRATEGIC ADVISOR AT THE ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

Ottawa has unveiled its list of “major projects” under Bill C-5, promising to fast-track approvals. However, the reality is underwhelming, many of the projects are already approved or even under construction. This does little to restore investor confidence or address the systemic issues truly holding Canada back: overregulation and over taxation.

That’s why the recent open letter from Canada’s energy leaders resonates so strongly, not only for their sector, but across all industries. Canada doesn’t just need a shortcut for a handful of government-approved projects, it needs a system that is streamlined, predictable, and competitive for businesses of every size.

As highlighted in the open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, signed by many of Canada’s leading conventional energy executives, our country’s real challenge is an investment climate weighed down by uncertainty, bureaucracy, and inefficiency. These leaders deserve credit for speaking out with clarity and urgency.

At AEG, we commend their thoughtful insights, but we also stress that this isn’t just an energy issue. The same frustrations are echoed across all sectors of the economy. Small businesses, manufacturers, and agricultural producers face the same hurdles that stifle growth and erode competitiveness.

Many of the solutions highlighted in the letter, such as streamlined permitting, predictable regulation, and fairer taxation, are not exclusive to oil and gas. They are essential for all industries and businesses of every size.

If Canada wants to grow, we need more than a “fast track” for government-selected projects. We need a system that is simpler, faster, and more predictable for everyone. That is how we build a stronger, more competitive economy.

Open Letter to Mark Carney Build Canada Now open letter Mark Carney moving from uncertainty to prosperity – Enbridge Inc.