American Chamber of Commerce leader says reliable supply supports jobs and helps lower energy costs
A senior leader with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would rather see the United States focus on oil imports from Canada than other potential partners as the global energy security crisis from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grows. “From a pure, selfish U.S.-centric viewpoint, we should be careful and very particular where we import from,” says…
What to do when your job shifts under your feet
Over the past two years, the nature of work for some has changed dramatically, whether it’s working remotely, relying more heavily on digital tools or adapting to restructuring and shifts in the economy. Many of us have been reflecting on whether our jobs are giving us what we want out of life. Canada may not…
The ELITE program gives participants tools and skills to break down barriers in STEM careers
It takes more than technical knowledge to succeed in a career in science, technology, engineering or math. It takes a network of support and skills beyond the strictly academic, said engineering professor André McDonald. Black students face particular challenges, which is why McDonald founded a program at the University of Alberta in 2021 to support and…
Canadian taxpayers get a bargain on the backs of teachers
Canada has one of the finest education systems in the world. It provides the backbone of our well-trained workforce and our strong economy. In addition, our schools have been great equalizers, providing the children of immigrants to our country with the opportunity to thrive and thus further enrich Canada. But our education system is struggling…
Young mentors receive high school credits, job training and post-secondary opportunities
How can volunteering for an after-school program help you finish high school, go to university and even get a job? It’s all through the power of mentorship – having a role model and being one yourself. It promotes leadership skills, builds confidence, and fosters mino-bimaadiziwin (Anishinaabe) or mino-pimâtisiwin (Cree), which means “living in a good…
The rules that have guided our economy no longer apply
Did you notice that 2022 began with far fewer forecasts and outlooks than are usually seen when we put up our new annual calendars? And most of those who bravely made predictions for 2022 have already been proven wrong. The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, just when everyone was eagerly anticipating the end…
A recent PhD grad and a mentor talk about the mutual benefits of mentorship
When the time comes to settle on a career, there’s plenty out there for University of Alberta graduates skilled in the wide-ranging field of energy: jobs in research, government, industry and startups, to name a few. But how to decide? One tried and true way is to talk to somebody who’s already out there –…
Immigration policy must build bridges and align with economic, social, education and multicultural policy
I was recently invited to share my thoughts and take a futuristic peek at the role of immigration in the post-COVID-19 economic recovery. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada invited me to speak at its annual executive leadership summit that included more than 250 decision-makers in the executive branch. My presentation spanned the unresolved immigration issues…
$2.1B in salaries and wages were generated as the result of oil and gas spending in 2017
By Ven Venkatachalam and Lennie Kaplan Canadian Energy Centre A headline screamed “The end of the Oil Age” in the Economist in 2003. Fast forward 18 years and that still doesn’t make sense in many ways. The demand for oil is increasing across the globe. Even U.S. President Joe Biden is asking the Organization of…
The pandemic has taught us that life beyond the job is possible
The wage gap between men and women stubbornly persists even after adjusting for all the usual factors like education and occupation. Career and Family: Women’s Century-Long Journey Toward Equity, a new book by Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, takes a fresh look at the issue. Goldin introduces the concept of greedy jobs. These are the jobs…