C anada’s energy sector is one of the country’s greatest strengths, says an emerging leader with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Bryan Detchou is the Chamber’s senior director of natural resources, environment and sustainability. A former government relations consultant and staffer on Parliament Hill, Detchou was recognized by The Peak in 2023 as one of Canada’s young leaders shaping the country’s economy, culture, and society. The Chamber boasts a membership of over 200,000 businesses, including many energy-related companies. Detchou helps advocate for achieving the sector’s untapped potential.
Canadian Energy Centre: Why does the Canadian Chamber of Commerce support Canada’s oil and natural gas sector? Bryan Detchou: The mandate of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is to support and be the leading voice for all businesses across the Canadian economy. You cannot discuss the Canadian economy without recognizing the essential role of the oil and gas sector. CEC: What role should Canada’s energy sector play in the 21st-century Canadian and world economies? BD: We believe that Canada’s energy and natural resources sectors are sources of pride and deserve strong support. These sectors hold the potential for Canada to exceed
BD: The majority of emissions reductions are being driven by the private sector, and we’re already seeing significant investments from various organizations. However, the challenge lies in the substantial capital required for these initiatives. Before making major investment decisions, companies need a level of certainty and predictability in the markets they operate in—this is where the government can play a stronger role. Regulatory hurdles, such as amendments to the Impact Assessment Act and the slow deployment of Investment Tax Credits, continue to create uncertainty. We must understand that this is a global race. Canada is not the only country working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and attract the necessary
expectations on the global stage, positioning us as a key player in solving many of the world’s pressing challenges. The conflict in Ukraine has exposed vulnerabilities in European and global energy security, underscoring the critical role Canada can play in addressing these issues. It is not only Canada’s responsibility to its citizens but also its duty to the global community to be a strong and reliable energy partner. However, our failure to act decisively on energy security weakens our position and undermines our ability to contribute meaningfully to the reduction of global emissions. CEC: How can Canadian energy businesses take a leadership position in emissions reduction?
investment.
engaged ever since.
It is our responsibility to identify and leverage our competitive advantages. There is still much Canada can do to ensure its regulatory framework is conducive to attracting investment and driving environmental progress. CEC: How is the federal greenwashing Bill C-59 impacting Canadian energy companies? BD: From the outset, we have been fully engaged in addressing the challenges posed by this new legislation, starting with our involvement when the amendment was first introduced in the House of Commons committee in late May. We testified before the Senate in early June, voicing the concerns of the industry, and have remained actively
We unequivocally support the goal of ensuring that no Canadian company engages in deceptive marketing, whether in terms of product claims or the communication of their environmental commitments, particularly those aimed at combating climate change. Transparency and accountability are fundamental. However, the law’s vague language and the absence of a clearly defined methodology have unfortunately created uncertainty across all sectors of the Canadian economy. This uncertainty hinders the ability of businesses to openly and confidently contribute to Canada’s ambitious climate goals.
Here’s what he shared with the Canadian Energy Centre:
Rather than driving environmental progress, the new law has inadvertently
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