World Wants Our LNG Poll Shows Canadians Eager To Supply It!

BY CODY BATTERSHILL

In times of adversity, we can’t direct the wind, the old saying goes. But we can adjust our sails.

Today the winds are blowing toward a growing energy crisis sweeping Europe; oil and natural gas demand continues to rise, and Canadian product faces domestic protest that hinders us in global markets.

According to Research Co. polling carried out recently for Canada Action, Canadians want to supply world markets with our energy products.

It’s time to adjust our sails. A strong majority of Canadians (more than seven in 10 respondents) believe Canada’s liquified natural gas (LNG) can help improve global energy security and sustainability efforts, according to the poll conducted September 16 and 17.

Seventy-three per cent of respondents said our country should advocate for Canada’s energy sector as a leader in environmentally sustainable production. And almost eight in 10 respondents (79 per cent) said they prefer to use Canadian energy in their day-to-day lives.

The polling results confirm exactly what we’ve found in our media interviews, community events, social media engagements and public interactions over the last number of months. Canadians are increasingly proud of our worldleading energy industry.

But that’s not all. The poll, which questioned 1,000 adults online across Canada with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, also found: When thinking about LNG, more than half of Canadians (56 per cent of those polled) said it’s wrong for Canada to forfeit energy opportunities to other countries with higher emissions. This represents a rise in public support of five per cent since this question was asked in a March poll.

Given global demand is forecasted to grow 50 per cent by 2050, four in five Canadians (80 per cent) support trade in all Canadian energy technologies including solar, wind, hydro, hydrogen, geothermal, biofuels, and oil and gas.

Three in four (75 per cent) agree exporting responsible and reliable Canadian energy, expertise and technology to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one way Canada can play an important role in addressing climate action – an increase of a percent since the question was asked in March.

More than three in five Canadians (63 per cent) agree that investing in Canada’s oil and gas sector makes sense if you value climate leadership, social progress and transparency.

And, after having been informed that from 2000 to 2019, the emission intensity of Canada’s oil sands operations dropped about 33 per cent due to technological and efficiency improvements, almost three in four Canadians (73 per cent) agreed we should advocate for Canada’s energy leadership in environmentally sustainable production.

The winds have changed. Canadians want to adjust with them. And when a growing majority wants to see our energy products in the global marketplace, the political will can’t be far behind.

BUILDING

A LEGACY

by Jennifer Friesen

After serving as President of Western Electrical Management Ltd. for nearly 20 years, Ken Rickbeil and his wife Frances wanted to get more intentional about their philanthropic giving.

“We were acquiring enough wealth that we’re saying, we need to do something with it – but what do we want to do?” recalled Ken.

Ken and Frances established the Rickbeil Family Fund at the Calgary Foundation in 2016 and have appointed their children as successor advisors. As Donor Advised Fundholders, they contribute a sum of money that is invested and managed by the Foundation to grow the capital of the Fund and increase the annual charitable disbursement.

Ken and Frances meet with their sons, Aaron and Todd and their families, each year to thoughtfully consider which organizations they will support.

“The unique part of the Fund is that you have the capital of your Fund, and you get to give away some of the interest every year – over and over again,” says Ken. “I think it’s good for our kids and grandkids to see. They see they’re making people happy, and it teaches good character.”

This past year, the Fund granted nearly $220,000 to a variety of community organizations, bringing them to a total of $630,000 granted since 2016.

The family has directed most of their grants towards organizations aiding animals, children and elderly populations. They were notably impacted by Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids program, which Todd and his fiancée are passionate about supporting. Following their first grant, they received a letter detailing how the lunches ensured no child went hungry.

“That program in particular made quite an impact on us,” says Frances. “They were very explicit on how the funds were used and how many kids they fed. When you get responses like that and see how your money is impacting lives, it’s amazing. You’re not just putting a check in the mail and never hearing about it again. You see how it makes a difference.”

By establishing this Fund, the Rickbeils are also creating a legacy for future generations of their family and helping to manage the transfer of wealth. Approximately 90 per cent of families lose generational wealth within three generations, but legacy planning through charitable giving is a vehicle to preserve that wealth for the benefit of the community and pass down family values. The family Fund has grown throughout the past six years, thanks to strong investment performance and regular contributions to the Fund. In 2016 the family had $40,000 to distribute, and this past year that amount had grown to more than $260,000.

Calgary Foundation provides the Rickbeils with granting inspiration. Ken says it’s been “a real eye opener” to see the variety of charitable programming happening in the city.

As the family gathers to discuss charitable needs, Ken and Frances say that everyone brings their own ideas to the table, and they’re “blessed” to be able to share this with future generations – a sentiment shared by their sons.

“Philanthropy was introduced to me by my mother and father,” says Aaron. “It is an avenue to display which causes we believe in and leaves a lasting legacy for our family. Philanthropic succession planning is important to our family because we feel that values are not instilled with words or speeches – actions are the best way to demonstrate the values of our family, namely empathy, caring and sharing.”

Through a Donor Advised Fund at Calgary Foundation, the Rickbeil’s are supporting the needs of community and shaping the family’s philanthropic legacy.

Ken Rickbeil

1180 – 105 12 AVENUE SE | 403-802-7700 CALGARYFOUNDATION.ORG

Canadian Legacy Project Support Veterans In Their Times of Need

From October 24 to November 12, Canadian Legacy Project is presenting the annual Veterans Funding Drive to support our veterans in their time of need. Canadian Legacy Project builds and supports programs that are not funded or underfunded by Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with transitioning back to civilian life. These national programs focus on housing, food, mental health, education and employment.

One of the charity’s newer programs is called Business Boot Camp. This free program guides veteran entrepreneurs through starting their own business. Once participants graduate, they are armed with a business plan and support network for their new business to be successful. There are many programs designed to help veterans secure employment after their service but very few that offer support to start their own business. Since the program started, there have been 260. New in 2022, Canadian Legacy Project has helped the Homes For Heroes Foundation launch the Veteran Tenant and Moral Fund. The fund is designed to help the Homes For Heroes veteran tenants with some key living and support expenses, such as medical supplies and fees, pharmaceutical supplies, bus passes, physical activity programs, emergency transportation, replacement identification costs, etc.

Also new in 2022 is Mobile Canteen, a program designed to help our veterans across Canada that are living in poverty. Homelessness and food security are issues that veterans should not have to worry about, but across Canada there are some who are experiencing both. Canadian Legacy Project has partnered with select food trucks across Canada to present Mobile Canteen which offers a free hot meal to veterans in need. The program brings a sense of community at a time when these veterans otherwise could feel isolated and alone. Look for the Mobile Canteen decal at your favourite food truck in Canada. Canadian Legacy Project is a registered charity and is volunteer directed, so support goes to those in need. Because of COVID-19, the need for Canadian Legacy Projects’ programs is at an all-time high, but donations are at an all-time low. This is a challenging time across the country, and the charity is asking Canadians to lend a hand to our veterans financially, by volunteering, or simply by thanking these incredibly brave men and women for their service to Canada.

“The willingness of our Canadian veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. Canadian Legacy Projects supporters are a special type of people that change lives, lift people up and make the world a better place,” noted Tom Howard, vice president of Canadian Legacy Project. Further details on all Canadian Legacy Projects service offerings can be found on their website at canadianlegacy.org.

CALGARY (September 21, 2022) – As the developer forU/D, UCPG was recently recognized for three prestigious awards at the fifth annual BILD Alberta Awards ceremony, including the Developer Pinnacle Aw Best Existing Community and Best Community Feature, featuring the inclusive playground in Northwest Commons Park. The Building Industry & Land Development Association Alberta (BILD Alberta) Awards recognizes the top organizations across the province in community development, home design, safety leadership, community service, and renovation.

The Developer Pinnacle Award recognizes leadershipin design, commitment to safety, customer satisfaction, and community service, and the Best Existing Communityaward recognizes the holistic excellence of U/D, including the walkability of the community, the integrated green spaces and parks, the growing Retail Main Street with more than 25 retailers now open for business, and the variety of thoughtfully designed living spaces.

The Best Community Feature Award celebrates Northwest Commons Park, which includes a Playcore National Demonstration Site playground. This space incorporates evidence-based principles of inclusive playground design, inviting those with mobility aids, sensory disorders, and diverse abilities to play.

University of Calgary Properties Group (UCPG) Named Top Developer at BILD Alberta Awards

As the developer for U/D, UCPG was recently recognized for three prestigious awards at the fifth annual BILD Alberta Awards ceremony, including the Developer Pinnacle Award, Best Existing Community and Best Community Feature, featuring the inclusive playground in Northwest Commons Park. The Building Industry & Land Development Association Alberta (BILD Alberta) Awards recognizes the top organizations across the province in community development, home design, safety leadership, community service and renovation.

The Developer Pinnacle Award recognizes leadership in design, commitment to safety, customer satisfaction and community service, and the Best Existing Community award recognizes the holistic excellence of U/D, including the walkability of the community, the integrated green spaces and parks, the growing Retail Main Street with more than 25 retailers now open for business, and the variety of thoughtfully designed living spaces.

The Best Community Feature Award celebrates Northwest Commons Park, which includes a Playcore National Demonstration Site playground. This space incorporates evidence-based principles of inclusive playground design, inviting those with mobility aids, sensory disorders and diverse abilities to play.

The award-winning Northwest Commons Park playground is a Playcore National Demonstration Site designed with Playcore’s 7 Principles for inclusive design, making it one of the most inclusive parks in the city.

“University District is a mindfully designed, progressive, world-class community,” said UCPG president and CEO, James Robertson. “Since construction began in 2015, we have successfully established this neighbourhood as a thriving, feetfirst community. We are exceptionally proud of our team and the dedicated partners and community members that make University District an award-winning destination.” These latest awards are just a few of the accolades UCPG and U/D have earned this year. U/D was recognized by the prestigious Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Awards for Housing Excellence as Canada’s Best Growing Community and earned the title of Best Future Neighbourhood by Avenue Magazine this past June.

The growth of University District continues to progressively expand. University District recently welcomed Rohit Communities and their latest residential offering, Dean’s Landing to the community. Dean’s Landing offers 66 stacked townhomes with attached garages and 135 condos with underground parking. The development will be situated across nine buildings, including two four-storey condo buildings, with options including studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. Interested Calgarians are encouraged to visit the University District Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W. to learn more about Rohit’s immersive digital home tour experience and the exciting upcoming events and new additions to the community.

The award-winning Northwest Commons Park playground is a Playcore National Demonstration Site designed with Playcore’s 7 Principles for inclusive design, making it one of the most inclusive parks in the city.