In the latest episode of Alberta Update, Premier Danielle Smith sat down with host Bruce McAllister to discuss key developments from her meetings with Western Canadian premiers, funding issues, and the future of Alberta’s energy sector.
Smith began by reflecting on her recent meeting in Whitehorse with other Western Canadian premiers. She emphasized the diverse political landscape, with representatives from conservative, liberal, NDP, and consensus governments coming together to discuss mutual interests. “What I like is that we’re framing it out for the federal government,” Smith remarked, highlighting the importance of strategic infrastructure investments. This includes ports to facilitate the export of critical minerals and addressing Arctic security concerns. The collaborative approach aims to align provincial priorities with the federal government’s defense commitments.
A significant portion of the interview focused on the federal government’s recent funding announcement for Quebec to manage immigration challenges. Smith echoed the frustrations of British Columbia Premier David Eby, who criticized the perceived favoritism towards Quebec and Ontario. Smith noted that Alberta, like Quebec, faces substantial immigration pressures, particularly with a high influx of Ukrainian evacuees. She argued for equitable funding, stressing that the federal government should support all provinces based on population and specific needs rather than preferential treatment.
“We are the growing areas of the country, and we are a destination of choice for newcomers,” Smith stated. She called for a per capita funding model to ensure newcomers receive adequate support in terms of language learning, business opportunities, and housing.
Smith discussed ongoing initiatives to support economic development and infrastructure, particularly with Saskatchewan. The two provinces have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on economic corridors and electricity infrastructure. This collaboration underscores the importance of ports like Prince Rupert, which is vital for exporting goods from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Smith also highlighted the need for federal support in developing port infrastructure, roads, and railways to bolster economic prosperity across regions. She emphasized the federal government’s constitutional responsibility to facilitate trade and commerce, criticizing their focus on areas like school lunch programs over essential economic infrastructure.
Turning to the energy sector, Smith shared her optimism from the Global Energy Show in Calgary. She reinforced Alberta’s commitment to reducing emissions while maintaining robust oil and gas production. “We are not transitioning away from oil and gas production; we’re transitioning away from emissions production,” she asserted. Smith outlined various initiatives, including methane emission reductions, carbon capture projects, and the development of a hydrogen economy.
Key projects like Dow Chemical’s Net Zero petrochemical plant and Air Products’ Net Zero hydrogen production are set to place Alberta at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation. Smith advocated for doubling Alberta’s oil and natural gas production, confident that the province can lead in providing low-emission energy solutions globally.