Earlier this month, Alberta’s and Saskatchewan’s governments came together in Lloydminster to make a unified call for national change. With Canada facing Chinese tariffs on agri-food products and American tariffs on steel and aluminum, the provinces are urging the federal government to work with, rather than against, their economic interests.
There was some optimism regarding Prime Minister Carney’s nation building plans from the Premiers with Premier Smith saying “…if he very soon is able to announce a project list that has 20 or more substantial projects… that include mining projects and transmission projects and power projects and pipeline projects, I think that would send a pretty big message to the world about the direction that we’re going.”
Both provinces are united in the belief expressed by Premier Moe that “Policies certainly matter. And the policies are much larger than a single pipeline that might have to be built.”
In a joint statement released after the meeting, Premier Moe and Premier Smith called for an end to all federal interference in the development of provincial resources by:
- · Repealing or overhauling the Impact Assessment Act to respect provincial jurisdiction and eliminate barriers to nation building resource development and transportation projects;
- · Eliminating the proposed oil and gas emissions cap;
- · Scrapping the Clean Electricity Regulations;
- · Lifting the oil tanker ban off the northern west coast;
- · Abandoning the net zero vehicle mandate; and
- · Repealing any federal law or regulation that purports to regulate industrial carbon emissions, plastics, or the commercial free speech of energy companies.
In addition, the statement called on the federal government to prioritize the removal of Chinese and American tariffs.
“Over the last decade, the people of our provinces have been held back by federal barriers that prevent development and drive away investment. This joint meeting made clear what the federal government needs to do to unlock the economic potential of our provinces. Whether or not they choose to work with us, the ball is now in their court,” said Camrose constituency MLA Jackie Lovely when asked about the joint meeting.
