Oil CEOs weigh in on Alberta election

Within days of Albertans going to the polls, investors are wondering howthe heads of Calgary's biggest companies are viewing one of the most wide open elections in decades.

CenovusCEOBrian Ferguson was the first to weigh in on Alberta's election campaign, pouring cold water on an NDP pledge to review the province's energy royalty system.

"I don't think there's any room for any increase in royalties," Ferguson toldBloombergNews. "If there are changes that make the structure uncompetitive, that will be negative for investment in Alberta."

• Rachel Notley accuses Jim Prentice of fearmongering on royalties, pipelines
• CBC At Issue panel: Upset ahead in Alberta election?

All week, energy companyCEOshave been asked about the NDP, royalties and the like. Companies are holding annual general meetings and are facing inquiries not just from reporters, but shareholders too, wondering whether a change in government is feared, especially if a progressiveparty forms the government.

On Friday,TransCanadaCEO Russ Girling was asked three questions about the election. Clearly, he would much rather discuss corporatefinancial reportsand new pipeline projects on the go in North America. He answered "no comment" twice and the other time chose to talk about how important it is for the premier to lobby other governments about the merits of pipelines.

Executives in the top floors of the towers in downtown Calgary usually stay mum on politics, but will speak out from time to time.

There was outrage from industry whenformer PCpremier Ed Stelmachreviewed, then increased,royaltyrates in 2007 after becoming premier.He caved to industry andreversed the changein 2010.

In 2013, Alberta's energy industry help Christy Clark's Liberals in the B.C. election. They openly raised cash for her andcelebrated her victory.

With Albertans heading to the polls, it's not clear whether the oil and gas industry has anything to fear whether or not there is a change in government.Andrew Leach, a professor of energy policy at the University of Alberta, went through the NDP's energy platform piece-by-piece and found there is noreal reason to beeither concerned orcomforted.

Butafter the sharp fall in oil prices, which sent company revenues tumbling, the energy sector may be sensitive toa possible government change. Cenovusin particular, had a loss of $668 million in the most recent quarter.