Talk is cheap. Notwithstanding that actions speak louder than words.Alberta’s oil patch welcomed a familiar face Friday as newly appointed federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson addressed the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, but any talk of warming ties with Ottawa was met with skepticism, not celebration.Despite Hodgson’s corporate bona fides — including a stint on the board of MEG Energy and a long résumé in capital markets — Calgary’s energy sector and provincial leaders remain leery of Ottawa’s promises. .Many see his “clean slate” messaging as a repackaging of old Liberal rhetoric in a new suit, even if it’s a Bay Street suit with some oil patch grit.“I may live in Toronto now, but I was born on the Prairies,” Hodgson said in a nod to his roots. “I want you to understand that I will be a voice for Alberta and Western Canada at the cabinet table.”Those words fell on a cautious crowd, many of whom have watched a decade of federal foot-dragging on major energy infrastructure — most notably the repeated failures to get pipelines to tidewater in BC or to refineries in Quebec..While Hodgson promised fast-tracked project reviews and touted his role in brokering the Alliance natural gas pipeline as a young Goldman Sachs associate, he stopped short of addressing the elephant in the room: the utter lack of progress on a new national pipeline east or west. And that silence speaks volumes in a province increasingly frustrated with what many see as Ottawa’s de facto energy blockade.That’s notwithstanding the ratcheting up of trade tensions with the US.Hodgson said Canada will remain a “reliable global supplier” of oil and gas and took a veiled shot at US President Donald Trump’s escalating tariff threats, saying, “We didn’t ask for this trade war, but we are going to win it.”.But with the US still the largest buyer of Alberta crude — about 4.3 million barrels per day (bpd) flow south from Fort Mac — and Trump refusing to remove 10% levies on on Wild Rose barrels — the energy industry is less concerned with federal optimism and more focused on market access and survival.“If we’re going to sit across the table from Trump or anyone else, we need to hold Canada’s best cards,” said Hodgson. “That means being able to sell our products to the world.”.BC Premier shows little support for Alberta's Northern Gateway Pipeline push.Enbridge boss says it’s harder to build Northern Gateway than the Meech Lake Accord.Quebec report shows resistance to pipelines cost $38 billion in trade war with US.Yet the reality remains: Alberta oil still gets reimported via Superior, Wisconsin to serve Eastern Canadian refineries, while premiers in BC and Quebec waffle on cross-country pipeline projects that would secure Canadian energy independence. Just Thursday BC Premier David Eby offered a tepid reaction to any revival of Northern Gateway, and Quebec continues to play coy on a pipeline to New Brunswick — even as it imports foreign oil on the back of US logistics.For many in Alberta, it’s more of the same.Premier Danielle Smith’s office, represented by Chief of Staff Rob Anderson, attended Hodgson’s Calgary appearance, as did Energy Minister Brian Jean and Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi. All were cordial — but none gave the appearance of being convinced..Behind the scenes, provincial insiders say Hodgson’s business connections may buy him a hearing in Calgary’s boardrooms, but there’s little faith Ottawa will finally get out of the way of the industry’s ambitions.Meanwhile, Western independence sentiment simmers just beneath the surface. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe recently said publicly that “confederation must work for all provinces,” and Wexit-aligned voices are growing louder as energy policy gridlock deepens.Hodgson emphasized national unity in his speech: “A strong Canada needs a strong Alberta.” But as one industry executive put it after the event, “We’ve heard that line before — from every prime minister and every energy minister for the past 15 years.”.With the G7 summit looming next month in Kananaskis and Trump confirmed to attend, trade tensions and energy security are expected to take center stage. Whether Hodgson can turn Alberta’s deep suspicion of Ottawa into a workable partnership remains to be seen.For now, the message from Calgary’s oil patch is clear: talk is cheap, and Alberta’s patience is wearing thin.
