ATCO Ltd. chief executive Nancy Southern is feeling optimistic about the federal government’s focus on building major projects across Canada — but concerned about the effect separation talk in Alberta is having on business investment. Read More
’I think the discussion of separation should have no oxygen, and I believe Canada, as a unified country, is going to be far stronger than if we try to be independent little states, provinces,’ said ATCO Ltd. chief executive Nancy Southern
‘I think the discussion of separation should have no oxygen, and I believe Canada, as a unified country, is going to be far stronger than if we try to be independent little states, provinces,’ said ATCO Ltd. chief executive Nancy Southern
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ATCO Ltd. chief executive Nancy Southern is feeling optimistic about the federal government’s focus on building major projects across Canada — but concerned about the effect separation talk in Alberta is having on business investment.
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During the Calgary-based company’s annual meeting on Wednesday, Southern spoke about the Carney government’s commitment to developing energy corridors and getting new infrastructure built.
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Canada “may be on the verge of a historic investment boom from ports and rail to West Coast LNG and ammonia exports,” she told the meeting.
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These projects are imperative and “now is the time for unity, resolve and unwavering execution.”
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However, talking to reporters after the meeting, Southern expressed concern about the recent political debate surrounding Alberta possibly separating from Canada and the effects of a potential referendum on investment into the province.
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“I think the discussion of separation should have no oxygen, and I believe Canada, as a unified country, is going to be far stronger than if we try to be independent little states, provinces,” said Southern, whose company employs more than 5,000 people in Alberta.
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“Absolutely, it’s impacting investments now, as we look to (have) partners for our large projects that are from offshore.”
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ATCO is a global energy infrastructure company and has about 21,000 employees around the world. Its operations include electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, workforce and residential housing, and investments in ports and transportation logistics.
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It has several significant developments on the go in Alberta, including a natural gas pipeline along the Yellowhead Highway that will cost more than $2 billion to build, and a proposed multibillion-dollar hydrogen hub.
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Southern said there is a lack of business confidence right now, and the company’s export partners in Asia are “very worried about what is happening in Canada,” on issues such as transportation, access to tidewater and environmental rules.
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“This constant banter between the province and the feds, while I totally feel frustrated myself — I believe that we have had the short end of the stick for quite a while — but this is our opportunity to now work together with a new prime minister . . . and actually deliver on this energy superpower that we all want to see,” she said.
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“When you’re offshore and you’re looking at what’s happening and, oh, if we’re going to have a separate province, are our Japanese partners or our South Korean partners wanting to invest in a multibillion-dollar plant in the heart of Alberta . . . They are very concerned.”