AlbertaBETTER Business Council of Alberta

Join us on C-Suite Unplugged as we sit down with Avik Day, President and CEO of Capital Power, for an insightful conversation about his journey to the C-Suite and the dynamic world of power generation.
Avik shares his experiences from growing up in Calgary to his career in the global energy business, highlighting roles in capital markets, private equity, and entrepreneurship. He discusses Capital Power's commitment to innovation and balanced energy solutions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the energy sector with politics, commerce, and climate. Avik also addresses the complexities of implementing clean electricity regulations across Canada, the challenges faced by provinces like Alberta, and the implications of Canada's clean electricity regulations.
This episode is packed with insights on navigating energy markets and the future of power generation.

Episode Description

Join us as we explore the intricate economic landscape of Alberta in mid-summer, where high inflation and interest rates contrast with robust economic growth. Alongside our chief economist, Mike Holden, we unpack the paradox of a thriving economy and rising unemployment rates in major cities like Calgary and Edmonton. Despite the high business optimism and strong private sector job growth, the rapid influx of newcomers is outpacing job creation, presenting unique challenges for the province.

We also examine the financial struggles facing Albertans amidst rising living costs. Inflation may be slowing, but the cost of rent has surged nearly 16% over the past year, leaving many feeling financially insecure. Shifts in consumer spending patterns reveal a decline in discretionary spending and an uptick in essential purchases driven by population growth. Our discussion highlights nuanced retail trends, such as increased sales at gas stations and hardware stores, despite a drop in per-person spending.

Looking ahead, we delve into Alberta's economic future, discussing projections that consider inflation, interest rates, and population growth. The potential benefits of decreasing inflation and interest rates could provide relief, particularly for homeowners. We highlight the positive impacts of the U.S. economy on Alberta and the importance of accommodating significant population growth through infrastructure investment. Finally, we explore the critical issue of unemployment rates, emphasizing the need for job creation to match the rapid population influx, ensuring newcomers can contribute positively to Alberta's prosperity.
------------
About The Business Council of Alberta
The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.
Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS
Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv
Follow us on social media:
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

Alberta's opportunity to contribute to global solutions in agriculture, energy, and health is immense. Seizing this opportunity will take big ideas, lots of collaboration, and a little “can do” attitude.
In the special series of The Brief, called Missions & Moonshots, we are talking to top experts, business leaders, innovators, and thought leaders across Alberta and Canada exploring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in energy, agriculture, and health.
Our guest is Vicki Lightbown, the Director of the Water Innovation Program at Alberta Innovates. She discusses the state of drought in Alberta today, how innovation can make us resilient in the face of a crisis and what challenges stand in the way of innovation adoption.
Vicki Lightbown’s discussion paper can be read here: http://bit.ly/3h5Lb0k
About Vicki Lightbown
Vicki Lightbown is the Director for the Water Innovation Program at Alberta Innovates. She is a Professional Engineer with a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary. In 2015, Vicki was a recipient of the Young Women in Energy award and in 2016 she was named in the Top 35 under 35 in Canada’s Energy Sector by the Alberta Oil Magazine. In Vicki’s role with Alberta Innovates she works proactively to identify critical technology and knowledge gaps and apply world-class research to develop solutions for some of the biggest water challenges in Alberta.

Knowing what success looks like is a talent in and of itself, one that extends beyond profit margins and dives deep into the mentalities and approaches of strong management teams and high performing companies. And in the world of private equity, it’s also an immensely important skillset.
On this episode, we speak with Brian Boulanger, Chief Executive Officer at ARC Financial Corp. about his journey to the C-Suite, what’s changed in his approach to leadership, and advice for people early in their career.
We also get Brian’s 50,000-foot view on the state of capital markets, discuss how Canada is viewed by the global investment community, and look ahead at the future of energy markets and Alberta.
------------
About The Business Council of Alberta
The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.
Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS
Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv
Follow us on social media:
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

“The greatest energy in the world is inspired humans.”
The world has come a long way in terms of its energy sources and the united commitment to a low-carbon future. But how do we define “net zero,” and is storing carbon really the right way to be reaching our net zero goals?
In this episode, we speak with Jesse Douglas, CEO of Green Impact Partners, about his entrepreneurial spirit, his journey to the C-Suite, and his leadership philosophy across multiple startups.
We also discuss the difference between purpose-driven and profit-driven organizations, breakdown the biofuel landscape in Alberta, and revel over the exciting soon-to-be completed project in the Future Energy Park, coming to Calgary in 2026.
------------
About The Business Council of Alberta
The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.
Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS
Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv
Follow us on social media:
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

7 of 10 Canadians believe that Canada's immigration system needs to change, with only 28% of Canadians feeling like the current system is working. So where did we go wrong, and what can we do to get back to setting ourselves apart on the global stage?
You might know him as Former Premier of Alberta, or as the longest serving federal Minister of Immigration. But on this episode of The Brief, we speak with the Hon. Jason Kenney to breakdown Canada's immigration system, identify the opportunities and barriers present within, and outline the role of economic immigrants in Canadian society. 
We also discuss the ideal archetype for incoming Canadians, the connection between immigration, economic growth, and national productivity, and what we need to do to set ourselves apart on the global stage.
------------
About The Business Council of Alberta
The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.
Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS
Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv
Follow us on social media:
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV