Premier Danielle Smith provided an update on Alberta’s stance regarding the federal government’s proposed oil and gas emissions cap. In a joint press conference, the Alberta government expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of the cap, highlighting possible job losses and revenue reductions, while questioning the federal approach to managing emissions in the oil and gas sector.
At the heart of Alberta’s opposition is the belief that the federal government’s emissions cap, while framed as an environmental necessity, would cut into production, leading to a significant loss of jobs and revenue. Premier Smith argued that the policy is less about reducing emissions and more about curtailing oil and gas output, which she claims would have devastating economic consequences not just for Alberta, but for the entire country.
Smith was particularly vocal about the national repercussions, stating that the cap could jeopardize the livelihoods of Canadians across provinces, from Newfoundland to British Columbia. “This proposed cap will not just stifle Alberta’s energy industry—it will kill jobs and ruin economies across the country,” she said, emphasizing that the cap would result in significant job losses and reductions in federal revenue.
Minister Rebecca Schulz echoed the Premier’s concerns, highlighting the potential economic fallout. According to Schulz, the emissions cap could result in over 150,000 job losses nationwide, with Alberta bearing the brunt. She warned that these lost jobs would lead to higher energy prices for consumers and a reduction in GDP, affecting all aspects of Canadian life.
“We are not just talking about abstract economic figures,” Schulz explained. “This cap will affect real families—working parents trying to pay their mortgages, and consumers already grappling with the rising cost of living.”
Schulz stressed that the oil and gas sector has already made strides in reducing emissions without the need for a cap, citing a 23% drop in emissions intensity per barrel and an accelerated timeline for methane emission reductions.
Alberta’s government is not just criticizing the federal plan but proposing an alternative approach. Smith and her ministers emphasized Alberta’s ongoing investments in technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) as viable paths toward emission reductions without harming economic growth. Smith pointed out that Alberta is a global leader in responsible energy production and innovation, particularly in clean technologies, and argued that these efforts would be jeopardized if the federal cap proceeds.
“Alberta is already reducing emissions and leading the way in technological advancements. We don’t need a federal mandate to achieve what we’re already doing through innovation,” Smith said.
She urged Ottawa to support Alberta’s approach, which she believes can simultaneously reduce emissions and grow the economy. Alberta’s leaders are calling on the federal government to scrap the proposed cap and invest in initiatives that will make Canada a leader in clean energy technology, rather than imposing restrictions that they argue will damage the country’s economic future.
The Alberta government has launched a national campaign titled “Scrap the Cap,” aimed at rallying Canadians across the country to oppose the federal proposal. The campaign will involve advertisements in multiple provinces, including British Columbia and Ontario, with the goal of raising awareness about the potential economic impacts of the emissions cap.
In her closing remarks, Premier Smith called on Canadians to take action by contacting their MPs and voicing their opposition. “We need Canadians from coast to coast to tell Ottawa that this cap will hurt our country. It’s time to scrap the cap,” she declared.
As Alberta presents its case against the federal government’s proposed oil and gas emissions cap, the conversation surrounding economic impacts and environmental goals continues to unfold. With the “Scrap the Cap” campaign now underway, it remains to be seen how the federal government will respond.