Heather Exner-Pirot Expert Call Takeaways + Replay

Research evidence excerpt

Heather Exner-Pirot Expert Call Takeaways + Replay

Canada | Energy EquityJulyResearch15, 2026

Heather Exner-Pirot Expert Call Takeaways +

Replay

Our call with Heather Exner-Pirot of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute unpacked

the many policy implications across the Canadian energy spectrum. Ottawa is

indeed supportive on crude, evidenced by PM Carney's commitments to allies,

.

TMC building the West Coast pipe, and production growth language in the

Pathways MoU. She was also confident in a (relatively) quick MPO process.

Labor costs were cited as a broad risk. View the full replay for much more.

Federal Commitment to West Coast Oil Pipeline: Dr. Exner-Pirot agreed that the Federal govt

committing Trans Mountain (TMC) to building the West Coast pipe was indeed evidence Ottawa is

serious about the project. Additionally, PM Carney's energy commitments to Asian allies suggest to

her that the Federal govt needs the pipeline even more than producers do. She was also constructive

on the Major Projects Office (MPO) process meaningfully accelerating approval timing, noting how

the ex-CEO of TMC running the MPO should be helpful. The CER process and obligation to consult

First Nations remain hurdles, so Dr. Exner-Pirot stated a 2034 start-up is doable "if the stars align."

The recent toll settlement on TMX she also mentioned as a step towards a potential sale of TMC

down the line (the option for Indigenous ownership in the West Coast pipe post-completion has

already been outlined).

Oil Sands Growth Incentives: Ottawa's commitment to building the West Coast pipe implies a

commitment to fill it (and other planned pipelines). The recent Pathways MOU looks more producer-

friendly than initially expected, with only 6 mtpa of carbon capture mandated by 2035, some relaxed