Navigating Alberta's Energy Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges in 2024

 Join us as we delve into the dynamic landscape of Alberta's energy industry for the year ahead. Hosted by MNP's Government Relations Leader, Lanny Westersund, this event will feature The Honourable Brian Jean ECA MLA, Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals, and David Yager, Author & Energy Policy Analyst. 

Presenters

Lanny Westersund , BA, Partner, Consulting

Lanny is a government and stakeholder relationship advisor with MNP’s Government Affairs and Advocacy Group in Calgary. With more than two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors, Lanny provides strategic advice on government policy to all levels of government, with a focus on provincial governments. He also advises a wide range of private sector clients and not-for-profit organizations. He builds high-impact government affairs strategies and out-of-the-box solutions to effectively manage an organization’s needs.

Lanny works with clients to develop and implement government and stakeholder relationship strategies for their organizations. He successfully navigates policy and legislative processes for his clients to help them achieve their goals.

Lanny’s experience encompasses a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, high-tech, natural resources, tax policies, affordable housing, public-private infrastructure policy, and finance. He has successfully built a government affairs practice for several independent lobbying companies.

Lanny earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Calgary in 2002.

Brian Jean, ECA MLA, Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals

Brian Jean was sworn in as the Minister of Energy and Minerals on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.

Prior to his service as an elected official at the provincial level, Mr. Jean was a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2014 where he served as the Parliamentary Secretary to 3 different Ministers of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. He has also previously dedicated 11 years to private legal practice as partner at a large Northern Alberta law firm, primarily as a litigator, and owned several successful small businesses.

Mr. Jean holds a Bachelor of Laws as well as a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration.

Brian Jean was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort McMurray-Conklin May 5, 2015, and as the Member for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche on March 16, 2022 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023.

David Yager, Energy Policy Advisor - Author & Writer – Oil Service Executive

David Yager is an oil service executive, entrepreneur and long-time oil writer. He has worked in the oil industry since 1970 and from 1987 to 2018 was a founder, senior officer and/or director of four TSX-listed oil service companies.

From 2012 to 2016 he served as National Leader Oilfield Services for MNP LLP, a leading Canadian tax, accounting and consulting provider. Through Yager Management Ltd., he provides executive consulting, communications and policy analysis to companies, boards, industry associations and other organizations. He was Chairman of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada in 2009/2010.

In 2023 he served as Chair of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Alberta’s Energy Future and was Chair of a two-person panel that conduced a detailed review of the Alberta Energy Regulator.

David Yager has been active in business journalism and energy policy analysis since 1979. He is a keynote speaker and regular commentator on the oil industry and energy policy in multiple media outlets.

His book - From Miracle to Menace – Alberta, A Carbon Story – was released in 2019.

He is currently serving as Special Advisor to the Premier in Executive Council.