“We will make Canada an energy superpower, drive down our emissions and diversify our export markets,” Canadian Prime Minster Mark Carney said recently as part of a series of nation-building project announcements. “We want to build big things, and we’re building bigger and faster together.”
Carney’s words have put a familiar idea back at the centre of Canada’s energy conversation: becoming an energy superpower.
The term signals ambition, and it’s something we pay close attention to because we know how important it is to engaged women. But it also makes us pause to ask, what exactly is an energy superpower?
An energy superpower is not defined by production alone. It’s measured by a country’s ability to deliver affordable and dependable energy at home and abroad, move that energy efficiently to market, reduce environmental impact through innovation, and maintain public confidence through predictable and responsible policy.
We have the ingredients, but to make it a reality, Canada needs progress on several fronts. We need to turn our geology into a competitive advantage, climate policy needs to be framed as a growth strategy, and pipelines are needed to get Canadian energy to international markets.
Predictability is a defining feature of energy leadership, so we are watching to see how the federal government delivers this. To become an energy superpower, policy needs to be clear and consistent, as investors look for signals that governments will honour agreements, sustain policy direction, and move decisions forward on a defined timeline.
Everything Canada Powered by Women has focused on this year connects to these questions.
From conversations across the country to meetings with policymakers and business leaders, our work has centered on what women believe Canada needs to thrive economically and prosper in the future.
We know meaningful dialogue comes from diverse experiences and viewpoints, so as we explore what an energy superpower means in practice, here are a few perspectives from engaged women we’ve talked to:
“Canada needs to be loud and proud of its position on the energy landscape. Canada is the most geopolitically stable, and environmentally conscious producer of conventional oil and gas, sitting at fifth largest natural gas producer and fourth largest oil producer in the world. We have hydroelectricity, nuclear, biofuels, wind, solar, and geothermal resources. We are in the game and highly capable of growing market share on every front with a highly educated workforce and natural resources riches. We are a GROWING energy superpower, if we would just change our narrative.”
– Lisa Mueller, President & CEO, FutEra Power Corp & CPW Advisory Committee member
“Canada has enormous potential to be an energy leader, but realizing it will require supporting businesses, attracting investment, and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth. Canada’s advantage lies in producing energy responsibly while partnering with Indigenous communities and supplying global markets that are looking for reliability and lower emissions.”
– Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and CPW Advisory Committee member
“The idea of an energy superpower extends beyond a purely economic lens. Canada’s energy can lift the world in so many ways – by leading with technology and innovation to reduce global emissions, providing reliable and affordable energy to other parts of the world and not only raising our own standard of living but that of others. We have the opportunity to be an economic superpower, ensuring revenue for Canada through responsible development of all our natural resources. The value of what we have has many layers and to me, being an energy superpower is about reaching our true potential as a nation for both energy, economic independence, self-actualization and quality of life.
– Tracey Bodnarchuk, CEO Canada Powered by Women
“ Before joining CPW, I understood energy mainly through the lens of oil and gas, but my work with CPW revealed how diverse Canada’s energy system truly is. My time with CPW has shaped the view that Canada’s energy superpower potential lies not only in its resources, but in informed public dialogue and responsible policy that reflects the needs of people.”
– Hasset Lakew, CPW Co-op Student
” For me, being an energy superpower is not about headlines or labels; it is about making Canada competitive to win in global energy markets for the long-term benefit of Canadians. Canada has the people, resources, and expertise to play a meaningful role in meeting the world’s energy needs. What matters is how we choose to contribute. Being an energy superpower requires embracing innovation, investing in technology, and collaborating across the industries to supply energy that supports economies and quality of life. Working together allows us to move faster, make better decisions, and create solutions that last. To me, being an energy superpower means powering prosperity while taking responsibility for the future by balancing energy security, environmental performance, and economic opportunity. When we achieve this balance, Canada does not just produce energy; we lead.
– Shelley Powell, Senior Vice President Operations Improvement & Support Services, Suncor and CPW Board member
What emerges clearly is that Canada’s energy superpower potential is not just a policy and resource question, but a national conversation shaped by diverse experiences and shared expectations for the future. And engaged women need to be at the table to share their views.