By Lexi Cook – Contributor

On Monday, March 20, Bishop’s University had the pleasure of hosting Lynn Exner from Canada Action to speak about the importance of the resource sector in Canada. Canada Action is a resource advocacy group from Calgary, Alberta. 

Originally founded as a grassroots initiative in 2010, Canada Action has grown and developed a wide platform across the country. Their sole mission is to start meaningful conversations about the resource sector in a positive and factual manner. Canada Action advocates for all resources Canada has to offer, including oil and gas, agriculture, forestry, hydrogen, renewables, geothermal, and mining. 

The resource sector in Canada is a massive contributor to the national GDP. The resource industry provides thousands of employment opportunities for Canadians across the country and is also one of the world leaders in developing clean technology to minimize environmental impacts.   

Exner is the Chief Operating Officer at Canada Action and has been with the organization for the past four years. The goal of Canada Action is to represent Canada’s resource sector and educate Canadians on its importance. Exner has a background in science and education, and after 12 years, she left this career to pursue a career in business. She continues to work hard to try to depolarize the talk of resources in Canada. Exner has a passion for speaking and sharing her knowledge with students.  

As an upcoming intern for Young Canadians for Resources this summer in Calgary, I decided to bring this event to Bishop’s. Exner and I originally connected last April when Exner spoke at a panel at Bishop’s regarding how Canada is working to race to net zero. I grew up in Alberta and have seen all the opportunities available in the resource sector, but feel that this sector is severely overlooked and deeply stigmatized in Quebec. Exner and I felt this was a great opportunity to open the conversation at Bishop’s.

Exner gave a 50-minute talk about the resource sector. She touched on the economics of the industry, the demand for energy in Canada and around the world, and shared opportunities that are available in the future of the industry. Exner spoke to many students and had open conversations, connecting them with contacts and allowing them to ask her questions. This session was a huge success and many of the students came out of the session with a new mindset and were interested to learn more.