# Steve MacDonald

> Steve MacDonald is an Edmonton-based advisor and director, principal at +SM Advisory Services and a director at AltaLink. A former Alberta deputy minister and chief executive of Emissions Reduction Alberta, he works on innovation, change management and the energy transition, and co-authored a 2023 paper on international climate cooperation.

- **Role:** Principal at +SM Advisory Services; Director at AltaLink
- **Organizations:** +SM Advisory Services, AltaLink, Canada West Foundation, Emissions Reduction Alberta (former CEO), Government of Alberta (former deputy minister)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Commerce, University of Alberta, Canadian Securities Program graduate, ICD.D designation, Institute of Corporate Directors
- **Known for:** Helped develop Alberta’s climate-change policy framework., Led ERA for more than six years, including its transition from CCEMC branding., Led ERA during funding competitions including methane reduction, oil-sands innovation and circular-economy technology.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2016** — Held executive roles in Alberta public service, including Treasury Board, Energy, Innovation and Advanced Education, and Executive Council; helped develop Alberta climate policy.
- **2016** — Serving as interim CEO of CCEMC; signed an Ontario Centres of Excellence memorandum with Tom Corr.
- **2017-04-13** — Permanent appointment as ERA CEO announced after a national recruitment process.
- **2021** — Represented ERA and Alberta at COP26 as part of the Canadian delegation.
- **2022-06** — Stepped down as ERA CEO; Justin Riemer succeeded him June 6.
- **2023-05-09** — Appointed to AltaLink board.
- **2023-11-30** — Co-authored The Missing Article with Katie Sullivan and Lisa DeMarco.

## Achievements

- Helped develop Alberta’s climate-change policy framework.
- Led ERA for more than six years, including its transition from CCEMC branding.
- Led ERA during funding competitions including methane reduction, oil-sands innovation and circular-economy technology.
- Co-authored The Missing Article on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
- Member of the Kainai Chieftainship, recorded in his Canada West Foundation biography.

## Latest updates

- **2023-11** — Co-authored The Missing Article, published November 30 by Public Policy Forum.
- **2023-05** — Joined AltaLink’s board May 9; appointment announced May 17.

## Links

- Website: https://cwf.ca/about-us/board-of-directors/steve-macdonald/
- LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/steve-macdonald-5137a838

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-macdonald
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09