ABSTRACT
Canadian energy politics were essentially characterized by consensual relations. The Trans-Canada Pipeline issue underlined two historical debates in Canadian energy politics: the use of public enterprise, as opposed to other governing instruments, to ensure the achievement of government objectives; and the choice between nationalist as opposed to continentalist solutions to Canadian energy problems. The period from mid-1974 to 1978 was one of relative calm on the international energy scene, characterized by decreasing real world oil prices. The bargaining strategy employed by the Alberta Conservative government revealed the considerable power that a major producing province can wield in Canadian energy politics. The nep was clearly a shock to each of the major relationships of power in Canadian energy politics. The role of individual political leaders and the presence or absence of the right interpersonal chemistry among leaders is central to understanding energy politics.
