Alberta 'rebranding' helps Canada on global stage, Nenshi says upon return from Davos
CBC News | Posted: January 25, 2016 5:57 PM | Last Updated: January 25, 2016
Hundreds of international investors and celebrities pack into normally 'boring' Canadian investment session
Alberta's effort to improve its environmental policies is being noticed on the global stage — and Canada, in general, is getting the credit — according to Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who just returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Nenshi said numerous "big, big, names in the energy sector globally" who are "billion-dollar investors" were talking enthusiastically about changes in the Canadian energy sector that stem largely from Alberta.
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"It was interesting to hear someone say the thing that is going to help Canadian investment going forward is the fact that Canada is making real steps in pricing carbon," Nenshi said during a city council meeting Monday.
"I thought that was very, very interesting, particularly because I wasn't aware that Canada was really making any steps toward pricing carbon, other than in Alberta," the mayor added, referring to the province's planned introduction of a carbon tax starting in 2017.
"But, in any case," Nenshi said, "it seems that the rebranding — quote, unquote — in order to build social licence for the energy sector is working well."
Bono was there, but that's not the point
The mayor said an "invest in Canada" reception that was a "dreadfully boring" affair at past events with just a few dozen guests was, at this year's forum, packed with hundreds of high-profile visitors.
"Yes, Bono was there. Yes, Richard Branson was there. But that wasn't the point," Nenshi said. "Hundreds and hundreds of international investors and so on were there. You couldn't move."
Some of the buzz surrounding Canada at this year's event, the mayor added, was due to the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has become a bit of an international media sensation since being elected.
"Everything you've been reading about the prime minister's international pull and reputation is 100-per-cent true," he said.
"There was a buzz about Canada that I've never seen before."
Trudeau tiff
Nenshi also downplayed his disagreement with Trudeau's characterization of the future of the Canadian economy.
"My predecessor wanted you to know Canada for its resources," Trudeau told the forum. "I want you to know Canadians for our resourcefulness."
The mayor said his comments were widely interpreted as a "big fight" with Trudeau but that's not what he intended.
"I would have liked the prime minister to have one extra word in his speech," Nenshi said, adding he would have preferred to have Trudeau make it explicit that the country is still largely a resource-based economy.
"I would have liked him to say 'also' or 'plus' when he was talking about the resourcefulness of Canadians."