We find in Heather Yourex-West Canada's preeminent analyst of energy policy's human and economic dimensions. Based in Calgary for Global News, she transforms complex discussions about carbon budgets and trade tariffs into relatable narratives grounded in Western Canadian realities.
"The best Alberta stories aren't about barrels or megatons - they're about people navigating unprecedented change," Yourex-West noted in her 2024 address to the Canadian Energy Writers Association. This philosophy shapes her openness to stories that:
With multiple National Newspaper Award nominations and a reputation for scoops that move markets, Yourex-West remains essential reading for understanding Canada's energy future. Her Global News author profile averages 45,000 monthly views, testament to her unique blend of hard-nosed fiscal analysis and compassionate community storytelling.
We trace Heather Yourex-West's journey from her early days covering municipal politics in Calgary to becoming Global News' foremost analyst of Western Canada's energy economy. Her career arc mirrors Alberta's own transformation from oil sands boomtown to a province grappling with climate mandates and global market shifts.
"When the world talks about Canadian energy, they're really talking about Alberta's choices," Yourex-West wrote in her 2024 analysis of federal-provincial climate policy clashes. This signature blend of regional insight and national significance defines her reporting.
Yourex-West's March 2025 deep dive into Alberta's fiscal framework revealed how fluctuating oil prices and climate investment demands are reshaping provincial economics. Through exclusive interviews with 12 policymakers and industry leaders, she mapped the tension between legacy energy infrastructure and emerging green technologies. The piece became required reading in Ottawa's energy policy circles, cited in three parliamentary committee hearings.
Her April 2025 analysis combined OPEC production data with local labor market statistics to forecast a generational shift in Canada's energy workforce. By embedding with oil sands maintenance crews and carbon capture startups, Yourex-West documented the human cost of market volatility while highlighting retraining programs showing early success.
This 2025 multimedia package dissected the complex interplay between federal climate targets and provincial resource development. Interactive maps showed proposed energy corridors, while interviews with Indigenous leaders added crucial perspectives often missing from national debates. The project's TikTok explainer series garnered 2.1 million views, demonstrating Yourex-West's ability to translate complex issues for digital audiences.
Yourex-West prioritizes stories that bridge the gap between environmental goals and workforce impacts. A successful 2024 pitch detailed how geothermal startups are retraining oil rig crews, exemplified by her feature on Eavor Technologies' Alberta pilot project. Avoid theoretical climate models - focus on measurable community outcomes.
Her ongoing coverage of U.S.-Canada tariff disputes shows how to make international agreements relevant to regional audiences. The 2023 series "When Washington Sneezes" connected proposed U.S. electric vehicle subsidies to potential job losses in Alberta's petrochemical sector. Provide localized data projections with your policy analysis.
Human-centered narratives about workers adapting to low-carbon industries resonate strongly. Her award-winning profile of a Suncor engineer transitioning to carbon capture tech demonstrated this approach. Include firsthand worker testimonials and retraining program metrics.
Yourex-West's fiscal reporting always ties dollar figures to energy sector realities. Her 2024 analysis of Alberta's royalty framework revisions showed how policy changes affect everything from school funding to hospital budgets. Connect financial data to tangible community impacts.
The 2025 "Oil Price Dominoes" series demonstrated her knack for explaining how OPEC decisions impact Alberta drilling schedules and Calgary real estate prices. Provide clear cause-effect chains between international events and Canadian communities.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Energy, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
