‘People will starve… and Canada could have helped’: Energy expert ‘furious’ as Iran crisis worsens

In this exclusive interview segment from The Really Big Show, hosts Jim Csek and Iain Burns speak with Heather Exner-Pirot, Director of Energy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and one of Canada’s leading energy policy experts. Heather delivers a sobering assessment of the global energy crisis triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and other geopolitical shocks. She describes the situation as both a “global tragedy” and a “Canadian opportunity” — or even a responsibility — that Canada has largely failed to seize. With tens of millions of people at risk of descending into extreme poverty or famine due to energy shortages, she argues that Canada’s abundant oil and gas resources position it to provide critical supply to allies in Asia and Europe. The discussion highlights how ideological barriers, regulatory delays, and past policy choices (including testimony against pipelines and statements questioning the business case for LNG) have left Canada unable to respond effectively. Heather stresses that cheap, reliable energy is foundational to modern life — not just prosperity, but literally a matter of life and death for vulnerable populations worldwide. Jim and Iain connect this to domestic realities: while Canada suppresses its own resources, the province of BC has become a net energy importer, and national manufacturing and economic growth suffer. The segment reinforces a core message: energy is everything, and Canada’s repeated failure to develop its resources responsibly carries both moral and strategic costs. What do you think about Canada’s missed opportunities to become a major energy supplier during global crises, and whether energy policy should prioritize reliable supply over ideology? Let us know in the comments. Support The Really Big Show . We’re building independent Canadian media into a powerful voice and we can’t do it without you. Contribute here: https://thereallybigshow.ca We tell real Canadian stories the mainstream won’t. Become a member and be part of it. Subscribe, share, and comment to help us grow. Live every weekday at 9AM PST