Heather Exner-Pirot

Jan 20, 2025 | thebusinesscouncil.ca | Heather Exner-Pirot

As published by The HubWith the January 20th inauguration of Donald Trump now upon us, the world is returning to an era of realpolitik. Canada is faced with a highly turbulent geopolitical context where, to paraphrase Lord Palmerston, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. Canada’s interests are not defended by being good at convening.

Jan 18, 2025 | thehub.ca | Heather Exner-Pirot

With the January 20th inauguration of Donald Trump now upon us, the world is returning to an era of realpolitik. Canada is faced with a highly turbulent geopolitical context where, to paraphrase Lord Palmerston, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. Canada’s interests are not defended by being good at convening. They are advanced with the soft and hard power that comes from having an abundance of the energy, food, and resources that your friends and enemies need.

Dec 6, 2024 | thehub.ca | Bentley B. Allan |Heather Exner-Pirot

Commentary 6 December 2024 Chrystia Freeland tours Air Products hydrogen production plant in Edmonton, August 25, 2022. Amber Bracken/The Canadian Press. When it comes to investing in our net-zero future, Canada needs to learn to act more strategically. Recent slowdowns in EV markets and the woes of Swedish battery producer Northvolt highlight the pitfalls inherent in scaling new value chains as the global energy transition progresses.

Nov 28, 2024 | thehub.ca | Heather Exner-Pirot

With one social media post, President-elect Donald Trump has sent the loonie plummeting, premiers supplicating, and pundits panicking. Of course, the 25 percent tariff would hurt Canada. But it would hurt American consumers and manufacturers as well, and weaken U.S. security and prosperity to the extent that one cannot believe Trump will go forward with it—or if he does, that it will remain in place for long.

Oct 22, 2024 | esemag.com | Heather Exner-Pirot

By Heather Exner-PirotMy interest here is not to question the rights of Indigenous Peoples to clean drinking water or the jurisdiction that first nations have over water on reserve. Like almost all Canadians, I find the lack of access to clean water experienced in many of our Indigenous and northern communities to be a source of embarrassment. I understand it is a complex technical and political issue, and I applaud any good-faith efforts to address it.