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News & Insights


Energy Futures Lab Testifies on Canada’s Critical Materials Value Creation Before House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology
Alison Cretney of the Energy Futures Lab provided testimony to the House of Commons INDU Committee on the impacts of U.S. tariffs on Canada’s metallurgical and advanced manufacturing sectors, highlighting the need for a more integrated and resilient critical materials strategy for Canada.

The Lab Team
11 hours ago1 min read


Energy Futures Lab Welcomes Richard Hiller as Director, Future Materials Alliance
The Lab welcomes Richard Hiller as Director, Future Materials Alliance. Richard will lead efforts in advancing the FMA at a pivotal moment, as global demand accelerates and jurisdictions compete to secure their critical minerals supply chains. As Director, Richard will help coordinate action across sectors, create alignment between policy and investment, and enable progress toward a more resilient and competitive materials ecosystem.

The Lab Team
Apr 282 min read


Op-Ed: Canada’s critical mineral diplomacy aims to keep it at the table and off the menu—as U.S. competition looms
MoUs don’t make mines, and partnerships don’t build processing facilities. What happens after the ink dries?
By Ailsa Popilian and Marla Orenstein. Originally published in The Hub, April 15, 2026

Ailsa Popilian
Apr 171 min read


Op-Ed: You want to talk defence? Talk energy.
By Marla Orenstein and Ashley Meller When the Prime Minister launched Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy a few weeks ago, it was an appropriate response to a rapidly shifting geopolitical reality. But alongside the important elements that the strategy contained, there was a conspicuous, and potentially even fatal, absence: energy. Specifically, domestic energy sovereignty didn’t merit a mention. But a Canadian defence strategy falls short if the fuel for your fighte

Ashley Meller
Mar 93 min read


Op-Ed: Building industrial strength: a regional approach to Canada’s critical materials
No single jurisdiction has all the ingredients. But by leveraging its collective strengths as a whole, the region becomes competitive. By Alison Cretney Originally published in The Hill Times , Feb. 25, 2026

Alison Cretney
Mar 41 min read


Op-Ed: Canada’s leverage in a fractured world starts with energy
Man in a hard hat consults tablet while standing in front of a transmission line. By Marla Orenstein and Ashley Meller Originally published in Canada's National Observer , Jan. 27, 2026

Marla Orenstein
Jan 291 min read
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