Stephen McBride’s “We Must Defeat B.A.N.A.N.A.” explores how excessive regulation is quietly strangling innovation in the U.S. and Canada. Drawing on 40+ founder conversations – from nuclear energy to AI and aerospace – McBride shows how a “Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything” mindset delays projects, favors incumbents, and drives capital away from ambitious, real-world innovation.
The Synapse Data Centre in Olds leverages strategic proximity to Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, reliable energy, fibrr‑ready land, and innovative water‑saving cooling. Market‑driven and backed by municipal support, the project promises lasting jobs and economic growth for Alberta’s SMEs, showcasing how large‑scale tech investment can coexist with environmental stewardship.
Canada’s energy future is at a crossroads. While leadership promotes an “energy superpower” strategy, emerging climate finance mandates risk sidelining conventional energy sectors through tougher financing rules buried within policy frameworks. These shifts could challenge energy firms & reduce competitiveness unless strategic reforms & clearer policy coordination are pursued to harmonize climate goals with economic resilience.
The recent WTAL win for AEG Marketing and Communications Director Cathie Saroka honours her 40‑year legacy in Calgary’s architectural‑glass industry – a sector still dominated by men. While accolades matter, true economic strength comes from countless Alberta entrepreneurs who quietly create jobs, mentor teams, and sustain communities year after year.
