Power Struggle

Forget model tweaks—the real AI race is about power. We sit down with Kris Krug to map how GPUs translate into gigawatts, why data centers are the new factories, and what it would take for British Columbia and Canada to turn clean energy into sovereign intelligence instead of exporting value and importing electrons. From Vancouver’s buzzing AI meetups to Meta’s multi‑gigawatt builds, we connect th...

What does it take to build the largest private investment in Canadian history? Susanna Pierce reveals the inside story of the $40 billion LNG Canada project as it prepares to ship its first cargo – a milestone she helped shape during her tenure as president of Shell Canada. The conversation takes us behind the curtain of mega-project development, where Pierce describes the intricate dance of coord...

California's ambitious EV mandate faces serious challenges with the 2026 requirement of 35% zero-emission vehicles while current market share sits at just 20%. Brian Maas, president of the California New Car Dealers Association, explains the growing tension between political ambition and market realities. • California leads the US in electric vehicle adoption with one in five vehicles sold be...

The Tahltan Nation of northwestern British Columbia is redefining Indigenous participation in the mining industry, with women leading operations and creating economic prosperity through ownership stakes in major resource projects. • Tahltan territory spans 97,000 square kilometers (size of Portugal) and contains the mineral-rich "Golden Triangle" • The nation has deep historical connecti...

Send us Fan Mail 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 YouT...

Shanna Martineau, CEO of Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC), shares how loan guarantees are helping Indigenous communities invest in major projects and build economic prosperity. Since 2019, AIOC has facilitated investments totaling over $700 million for 43 Indigenous communities across Alberta and beyond, with the Alberta government recently increasing their loan guarantee capaci...

What if everything we believe about “clean energy” is built on a myth? French historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz joins Power Struggle to challenge the dominant narrative of energy transition. From coal in electric cars to the illusion of hydrogen aircraft, Fressoz unpacks how modern societies haven’t replaced fossil fuels — they’ve layered more and more energy on top. This episode questions climate o...

Can you work in oil and gas and still be an environmentalist? Jason Switzer says yes. In this episode, he joins host Stewart Muir to talk certified natural gas, ESG, Indigenous rights, and clean tech in Canada’s energy transition. Like what you heard?  Give it a like 👍 Drop a comment 💬 Subscribe 🔔 for more real talk on modern energy. Send us Fan Mail The energy conversation is polarizing. But t...

In January 2024, temperatures in Alberta dropped to -50°C. The electricity grid sent out alerts. Demand skyrocketed. So what kept homes warm? Stewart Muir is joined by Greg Caldwell, Director of Policy and Advocacy at ATCO Gas, for an inside look at the cold snap that put Canada's energy system to the test. They break down the physics of energy delivery, why batteries can't replace pipel...

Canada desperately wants to diversify its export economy. Many believe expanding to other markets is critical to dealing with the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. But renowned journalist Terry Glavin cautions this shouldn’t mean we integrate with China. The more Canada associates economically with China, the more vulnerable and subservient we become to the whims of the world’s mos...

Donald Trump didn’t start the problem. But Jack Mintz knows how to fix it. In the latest episode of the Power Struggle special election series, Mintz tells host Stewart Muir that Canada’s declining productivity started long before the US President’s new tariff war. The solution isn’t slapping the United States with counter-tariffs. The solution is eliminating tariffs and non-trading barriers with...

Monica Gattinger wants to know how. How will the federal Liberal and Conservative leaders fast-track the approval of energy projects? The projects that will reduce Canada’s reliance on US markets. Are Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre moving too fast and furiously in trying to respond to the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump? All to get votes in the current federal election. Gattinger wants...

In this episode of Power Struggle – Campaign Edition, former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark joins Stewart Muir to discuss how Canada can reclaim economic leadership in the world — and what the next Prime Minister must prioritize to get us there. From stalled LNG projects to the need for meaningful Indigenous partnerships and long-term regulatory certainty, Clark makes a clear call: Canada...

In this episode of Power Struggle: Election Special, former Alberta Premier and federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney joins Stewart Muir to discuss Canada’s most pressing challenges — from addiction policy to energy infrastructure and national defense. Kenney contrasts Alberta’s recovery-focused approach to addiction with Vancouver’s harm reduction model, while also tackling issues like Bill C-69,...

Can Canada and the US together become the dominant global energy power? Economist Brian Lee Crowley thinks so. He explains how in the latest episode of Power Struggle. Brian says Canada has no choice but to deepen our economic relationship with the US. And despite what Donald Trump says, the Americans are just as dependent on Canada for many products, like aluminum, and will be for some time. That...

Trump looms large over Canada’s 2024 federal election. With recent polling showing a dramatic surge for Mark Carney’s Liberal Party, Canadian voters face a critical decision: who can best navigate the existential economic threat posed by a potential second Trump presidency? Political journalist John Ivison joins Stewart Muir to offer sharp insights into the rapidly shifting dynamics between Conser...

Malcolm Macpherson shares his two-decade journey championing Indigenous economic sovereignty through energy law and explains how First Nations are redefining their role as "Resource Rulers" with constitutional rights that fundamentally shape Canada's resource development landscape. Follow us and our guest on social media: Stewart Muir on Linkedin Malcolm Macpherson on Linkedin Send...

Shannon Joseph once dreamed of being an astronaut, but ultimately chose to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges right here on Earth. With over 15 years of experience in energy, sustainability, and Indigenous relations, Shannon has shaped major federal policies like the Impact Assessment Act and the UNDRIP Act. As Chair of Energy for a Secure Future, she is leading a critical conversatio...

What if the biggest opportunity to solve climate change isn't where you think it is? While wealthy nations debate their climate goals, organizations like GEAPP are helping developing countries take bold steps to secure a cleaner, more independent energy future. Discover how the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is tackling some of the world's most pressing energy chall...

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 t...

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...

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 resi...

What does it take to turn a green chicken into a global voice in energy?  We dive into the world of Doomberg—the #1 paid finance Substack tackling energy, geopolitics, and predictions of what's to come. Global energy dynamics are more than just economics; they intersect deeply with immigration and social tensions. Doomberg discusses how an energy-rich or energy-poor environment can exacerbate...

Happy Holidays from Power Struggle!  As developing nations grapple with rapid growth, we explore the dilemmas surrounding coal consumption and the implications for climate goals. Send us Fan Mail 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...

What if the future of energy innovation lies in gaming technology?  In this episode of Power Struggle, we are joined by Valentina Riggins, Senior Vice President of Digital Consulting at Worley. Valentina provides an in-depth look into the challenges and opportunities within the energy industry, bridging the gap between traditional energy practices and cutting-edge digital technologies. We cover: H...