NATIONAL BESTSELLER

One of Canada’s leading voices on our energy future offers a powerful case for taking back control of our resources

Canada has a world-class resource base and the capacity to become a world leader in the petroleum and other resource-based industries. But as former federal cabinet minister and Alberta premier Jim Prentice argues in this provocative and timely new book, we have lost our way. He outlines how our nation has repeatedly stumbled in its attempts to become a global player in the field, and how our policies and practices have failed to advance Canada’s international interests as an energy producer and exporter with a record of sound environmental achievement. He highlights, for example, our stalled efforts to work with the United States to build new pipelines to the Gulf Coast, and the absence of the infrastructure Canada needs to make further inroads into the Asia-Pacific market. He notes how we have even faltered in our attempts to build pipelines across Canada to service our own citizens, and how Canada has also, to date, failed to craft fair and enduring business partnerships with its own indigenous peoples. Ultimately, one of Canada’s greatest strengths has become a liability—economically, socially and environmentally.

But what will the path forward look like? In Triple Crown, Jim Prentice makes a powerful argument for the inadequacy of current Canadian energy policy and asserts a new and forward-looking vision for converting our nation’s vast resources into a secure, prosperous and environmentally responsible future that benefits all Canadians.

Completed with his friend and colleague Jean-Sébastien Rioux shortly before Prentice's unexpected death in October 2016 at the age of 60, Triple Crown is a heartening and inspiring must-read, and a lasting legacy for a man who did so much for Canada.

THE HONOURABLE JIM PRENTICE, P.C., Q.C., was well known for his contribution to public life in Canada as a lawyer, politician and banker. He was elected to the House of Commons three times and was a senior cabinet minister in the Canadian government between 2006 and 2010, overseeing portfolios in the areas of industry, the environment and Aboriginal affairs. Described by the prime minister as the “Chief Operating Officer of the Government of Canada,” he chaired the powerful Operations Committee and sat on the Priorities and Planning Committee. He was also the minister responsible for major pipeline projects and the senior political minister from Alberta. He retired from federal politics in 2010 to become the senior executive vice-president and vice-chairman of CIBC. From 2014 to 2015, he was the premier of Alberta. In early 2016 he became an advisor to the private-equity firm Warburg Pincus and a global fellow at the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Jim Prentice died on October 13, 2016, at the age of 60 in a plane crash outside of Kelowna, British Columbia, while returning to his home in Calgary, Alberta. Prentice is survived by his wife, Karen, his three daughters, and his two grandchildren.

Jim Prentice's profile page

JEAN-SÉBASTIEN RIOUX, PhD, is an associate professor and the director of the International Policy and Trade program at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. He was Jim Prentice’s chief of staff in Ottawa and worked in the energy industry for a number of years. Originally from Quebec City, he now lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Web: JSRioux.ca

Twitter: @JSRioux

Jean-Sebastien Rioux's profile page

“Essential to understanding Canada’s global opportunity in natural resource and energy development and a testimony to Jim Prentice’s outstanding public service. . . . A must-read for everyone interested in energy, environment and indigenous policy in Canada.”

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada

“A must-read from one of Canada’s leading voices on energy and environment issues. This book highlights the opportunity that exists to build successful partnerships with First Nations . . . . Canada has certainly lost a leading voice on these key issues.”

Phil Fontaine, President of Ishkonigan and former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

“Prentice’s arguments are striking.”

<em>Maclean's</em>

“Triple Crown [offers] a unique insight into the perilous state of Canada’s energy industry, a glimpse behind the scenes of interprovincial negotiations, and a sad reminder of what our entire country lost in Jim--a man of rare vision, dignity, and decency.”

The Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia

“An important contribution to Canada’s challenging debate over resource development, climate change and First Nations’ rights . . . Perhaps no one in Canada was better placed to provide sorely-needed leadership in these areas than was Prentice.”

<em>The Globe and Mail</em>

“Jim Prentice’s book illuminates the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s natural resource industries. . . . Jim’s dedicated service to Canada continues through the insights and urgings he has shared in this book.”

The Honourable John P. Manley, President, Business Council of Canada