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It’s been more than a year since Scotiabank chief executive Brian Porter told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting in Ottawa about the energy sector’s importance to the Canadian economy and the need to access new markets if the country is to realize the full value of its resource bounty.

Many waited to see which bank CEOs would follow Porter’s lead.

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That wait continues.

It’s particularly galling since the big banks are only too happy to help the oilpatch raise money and be paid handsomely for it. But when it comes to speaking out in support of the industry helping to pay their bills, there is nary a tweet.

Since February, three major companies in the oilpatch — Enbridge, TransCanada and Suncor — have collectively raised $9.6 billion in three equity issues. In addition to being paid for the risking of their capital, advisory fees go to the lead managers.

In the case of TransCanada, the bankers also made money from advising the company on its acquisition of Columbia Pipeline Corp., which led to the $4.2-billion equity issue.