Sonya is a leading advocate in the energy industry. Her extensive public, corporate and private practice experience provides a unique and valuable perspective for our clients.
Sonya served as a Senior Minister for four years in the Alberta Government. Most recently, she held the position of Minister of Environment and Protected Areas and was also the Minster of Energy and Minister of Justice. Previously, she worked in the corporate sector as a senior executive for the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and Enbridge. She earned a Master of Laws (LLM) in 2015 with a published thesis on the evolving role of the National Energy Board. She also worked in private practice as a litigator for 13 years.
Navigating and balancing energy security and climate interests in an evolving and often contentious political landscape lends to her expertise in energy and environmental law, energy policy, regulations and climate strategy.
Sonya was appointed to the King's Counsel (KC) in 2022.
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
- Oversaw Ministry responsible for environmental conservation and protection, sustainable economic prosperity, and climate change.
- Developed Alberta’s climate strategy, the Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan 2023, designed to reduce emissions, while attracting investment.
- Responsible for Alberta’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Secretariat, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and Environmental Appeals Board.
- Primary point person for Alberta government for intergovernmental relations with the Federal government related to energy, climate, and environmental policies.
- Incentivized technology and innovation through modernizing Alberta's industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system (TIER), achieving Federal equivalency in December 2022.
- Oversaw Ministry responsible for environmental conservation and protection, sustainable economic prosperity, and climate change.
- Developed Alberta’s climate strategy, the Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan 2023, designed to reduce emissions, while attracting investment.
- Responsible for Alberta’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Secretariat, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and Environmental Appeals Board.
- Primary point person for Alberta government for intergovernmental relations with the Federal government related to energy, climate, and environmental policies.
- Incentivized technology and innovation through modernizing Alberta's industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system (TIER), achieving Federal equivalency in December 2022.
Minister of Energy, Government of Alberta
- Oversaw Ministry responsible for development of Alberta's energy and mineral resources.
- Led the Ministry during the global pandemic and price collapse, represented province at OPEC meetings and across the U.S. and Europe, helping protect an industry already dealing with the impacts of sustained low prices.
- Responsible for the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC), Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).
- Developed Alberta’s legal, policy and fiscal frameworks in new and emerging growth areas, including the framework to advance Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) hubs, hydrogen, critical minerals, small modular reactors, geothermal and renewables.
- Expertise in the North American energy system broadly recognized, leading to key roles, relationships, and national and international speaking opportunities on energy transition and energy security.
- Oversaw Ministry responsible for development of Alberta's energy and mineral resources.
- Led the Ministry during the global pandemic and price collapse, represented province at OPEC meetings and across the U.S. and Europe, helping protect an industry already dealing with the impacts of sustained low prices.
- Responsible for the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC), Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).
- Developed Alberta’s legal, policy and fiscal frameworks in new and emerging growth areas, including the framework to advance Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) hubs, hydrogen, critical minerals, small modular reactors, geothermal and renewables.
- Expertise in the North American energy system broadly recognized, leading to key roles, relationships, and national and international speaking opportunities on energy transition and energy security.
Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Government of Alberta
- Appointed Interim Minister in January 2022
- Appointed Interim Minister in January 2022
