Power Pulse Weekly: Week of Dec 1
We took a brief two-week hiatus to recharge our own batteries (unlike the EV market, apparently...but more on that later).
While we were out, it seems the entire Canadian energy landscape decided to drink a triple-espresso. We missed the usual bureaucratic plodding and walked right into a sprint: Ottawa passed a budget, Alberta shook hands with the Feds, and Ontario wrote a $26 billion check for nuclear.
If you felt the ground shift under your feet this week, it wasn't an earthquake, it was policy actually moving. Here is the double-feature catch-up on what you missed from Nov 14 – Nov 28.
1. The Lead: Hell Freezes Over (Ottawa & Alberta Agree)
The biggest story isn't just that Budget 2025 passed on November 17; it’s the peace treaty that followed. On November 27, the federal government and Alberta signed the "Energy and Infrastructure Pact."
In a move that surprised everyone, Ottawa agreed to shelve the contentious emissions cap. In exchange, both governments are fast-tracking a new oil pipeline corridor to the Pacific. It seems the threat of U.S. protectionism was finally enough to make the Feds and the Province realize they might need to be on the same team.
Key Takeaway: The "War on the Woods" is officially on a ceasefire.
2. Policy Focus: Ontario Goes All-In on Atoms
While the West focused on pipelines, Ontario decided the future is glowing. On November 27, the Ford government signed off on the CAD 26.8 billion refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Power Station.
This is massive. We aren't just patching up an old plant; we are locking in decades of baseload power to feed the insatiable hunger of EVs and AI data centers. It’s the single biggest signal yet that Canada sees nuclear not as a transition fuel, but as the destination.
Key Takeaway: Ontario is betting the house on nuclear. For contractors and suppliers, this $26B spend represents a generational opportunity!
3. Market Watch: The "Hybrid Flip"
The Canadian EV revolution has hit a pothole. Data released this week shows a structural slowdown in Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) adoption, with market share slipping to 9.2%.
Why? Consumers are doing the math. Between interest rates and range anxiety, Canadians are voting with their wallets and choosing Hybrids instead. We are officially off-track for the 2026 mandate targets, proving that you can lead a horse to an electric charger, but you can’t make it plug in.
Key Takeaway: The "all-electric or bust" narrative is busting.
4. Innovation Corner: Saskatchewan’s Magic Gas
Forget manufacturing hydrogen; Saskatchewan is trying to find it for free. In early November, Max Power Mining Corp drilled Canada’s first dedicated "Natural Hydrogen" well near Central Butte.
If this works, it’s a game-changer. This is "gold hydrogen"—naturally occurring underground with no carbon footprint and no massive electricity bill to produce it. It’s like finding a pre-charged battery in the ground.
Key Takeaway: If the geology holds up, Saskatchewan might have just found the holy grail of clean energy buried under the wheat fields.
The Close
That brings you up to speed.
We are heading into the weekend with one eye on the BBQ and the other on the OPEC+ meeting (Dec 1&2). If the they decides to tighten the taps, expect gas prices to jump by Monday morning. If not, well, enjoy the cheap fill-up while it lasts.
See you next week...we promise not to leave you unsupervised again.
References
- Budget 2025 Adoption: Government of Canada releases Budget 2025: Canada Strong (Dept. of Finance, Nov 2025).
- Canada-Alberta Pact: Canada, Alberta Strike Sweeping Energy Pact, Shelve Emissions Cap (BOE Report, Nov 27, 2025).
- Pickering Approval: Pickering refurbishment gets government go-ahead (World Nuclear News, Nov 27, 2025).
- EV Market Data: ZEV Mandate: Canada's approach flawed, shortfall expected (Collision Repair Mag/C.D. Howe Institute, Nov 28, 2025).
- Natural Hydrogen Well: Canada’s first natural hydrogen well drilled in Saskatchewan (CTV News, Nov 27, 2025).