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

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

Alberta’s electricity system is at a tipping point. Driven by the rise of energy-intensive industries, a booming population, and a shift toward increasingly electrified homes and businesses, electricity demand is climbing faster than ever. Meeting this challenge isn’t just about building more centralized generation capacity — it’s also about building smarter. And that starts with how we think about electricity distribution.