Our approach
Positive Energy began with a kick-off conference in early 2015. This conference brought together senior-level policy and regulatory decision-makers; representatives of industry, academia and NGOs; and leaders of local and Aboriginal communities. The conference focused on North American case studies that highlighted the societal issues raised by energy development, and analyzed the success of different industries, individual projects and jurisdictions in resolving these issues.
Over the next three years, a team of researchers delved deeply into the critical success factors underpinning social acceptance and support, as identified by conference participants. These included questions of Aboriginal rights, leading-edge methods to involve Aboriginal communities in resource development, intergovernmental conflict resolution and innovative ways of addressing environmental concerns.
Current research interrogates political polarization around energy issues in Canada–its causes, severity, and consequences. The team has been busy reviewing the literature, preparing fieldwork, planning events, and building new collaborations. Research studies are developed in close consultation with stakeholders and inform solution-oriented events, dialogues and workshops.
Our supporters
Positive Energy’s Research Team and Advisory Council are grateful for the invaluable support of committed organizations who want to build support for energy development in Canada. Our supporters are involved in a number of ways: they provide financial assistance to the project, they advise on our research and share relevant research studies undertaken by their organizations, and they provide expert speakers for our events.
Financial supporters of Positive Energy include Alberta Energy Alberta Energy Regulator, British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission, British Columbia Utilities Commission, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Canadian Electricity Association, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), Cenovus, Clean Resource Innovation Network, Natural Resources Canada, Ovintiv (Encana) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Nanos Research is our official pollster.
