As a Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and a special advisor to the Business Council of Canada, Heather breaks down the hard truths about Canada’s energy future.

She wasn’t always in energy. In fact, her journey started in international development, working in places like Guatemala and South Africa. But when she came back to Canada, she realized something: the biggest development opportunities weren’t overseas. They were right here, in Canada’s resource sector.

Heather has spent years championing Indigenous partnerships, cutting through misinformation, and pushing for smarter energy policies. In this episode, she shares why Canada has both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead, and what’s stopping us from getting there.

We dive into:

• The biggest challenge Canada faces on the global stage (and how energy security plays into it)
• How Indigenous partnerships are key – not an option – to shaping the future of resource development
• The impact of outdated policies on Canada’s energy sector
• 6 essential changes Canada needs to make to stay competitive
• How resource wealth can be both a blessing and a curse
• Why nuclear energy and uranium enrichment are key to our future

Follow us and our guest on social media:
Stewart Muir on Linkedin
Heather on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-exner-pirot/
Heather on Twitter: https://x.com/exnerpirot

Send us a text

The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.

Reach out to us with thoughts, questions, or ideas at info@powerstruggle.ca

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🎧 For audio versions of our podcast visit powerstruggle.ca and listen on the go in your favourite podcast app!
Video available on Power Struggle’s YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@PowerStrugglePod

Are we in a Cold War where energy is the weapon?

Is energy becoming the world’s most powerful strategic asset? As governments refocus on security and affordability, global energy policy is shifting fast. What does this mean for Canada, the US, and the world?

Robert “RJ” Johnston is Senior Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and is on the speed dial of CEOs, policymakers, and political leaders navigating energy markets and global strategy.

In this episode, Stewart joins RJ in NYC to discuss:

• Why security and affordability are taking priority over sustainability under the Trump administration
• How the US-Canada Energy Relationship
• The Arctic, critical minerals, and why energy security isn’t just about oil and gas
• How LNG is used as a competitive advantage influencing trade relationships
• The political fate of ESG and DEI initiatives

RJ doesn’t just analyze trends, he’s been in the rooms where these decisions happen. Whether you work in energy, policy, or just want to understand how the world really works, this episode will change how you see the future of energy, economy, and your community as a whole.

Follow us and our guest on social media:

Stewart Muir on Linkedin
RJ on Linkedin

Send us a text

The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.

Reach out to us with thoughts, questions, or ideas at info@powerstruggle.ca

Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

🎧 For audio versions of our podcast visit powerstruggle.ca and listen on the go in your favourite podcast app!
Video available on Power Struggle’s YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@PowerStrugglePod

What happens when energy, security, and sustainability come together? Today Stewart sits down with Joe Calnan, energy security expert at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and host of the Energy Security Cubed podcast. Together, they dive into the heart of what Power Struggle is truly all about: the energy trilemma of balancing affordability, reliability, and sustainability to build a more resilient and prosperous world.

We discuss…

• What is energy security, and why does it matter?
• The energy trilemma: Can Canada achieve net-zero goals without sacrificing economic stability or energy reliability?
• Canada’s potential to be a trusted partner in solving global energy crises, from LNG exports to supporting allies like Poland and Japan
• The broad 25% tariff the US wants to impose on Canada and how it could disrupt its economy
• Joe’s take on how geopolitical tensions, like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reveal weaknesses within energy systems and what Canada can do to strengthen its position

Join the conversation in the comments and subscribe for more fact based, expert-led conversations all about modern energy!

Follow us and our guest on social media:
Joe Calnan on Linkedin
Stewart Muir on Linkedin
Energy Security Cubed Podcast

Video available on Power Struggle’s YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@PowerStrugglePod

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The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.

Send us a text

The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.

Reach out to us with thoughts, questions, or ideas at info@powerstruggle.ca

Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

🎧 For audio versions of our podcast visit powerstruggle.ca and listen on the go in your favourite podcast app!
Video available on Power Struggle’s YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@PowerStrugglePod