The Strategists dissect Trudeau's Calgary meetings with oilpatch execs

Justin Trudeau came, he rolled up his sleeves, and he sat at a table with some of our city's most powerful economicleaders.

The prime ministercame toCalgary to listen, but he also did some talking.

"One of thechallenges we're in right now is that my predecessors have politicized that process. I'm not going to prejudge or shortcut the [National Energy Board] process as it goes forward," he said.

• JustinTrudeaublames Conservatives for 'politicized' NEB process, won't rush Energy East

There are always politics in economics. Decisions on energy issuesissues like pipelinescome withthat extra complexity. Agendas and opportunities have to be discussed, negotiated, debated.

It's often a tangled web, withstrategy on all sides.

The CBC's Rob Brown spoke withThe Strategists to dissect what was said today,what wasn't said, and what it all means for the economic future of our city and our nation.

Here's his conversation with Zain Velji,Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter.

Calgary at a Crossroads is CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series atCalgary at a Crossroads.