In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled against Bill C-69, also known as the Federal Government’s Impact Assessment Act, which focused on the environmental effects of major developments. This ruling is set to have a profound impact on Alberta’s economic landscape. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith held a press conference to celebrate the verdict and announce that the province is now “open for business.”
The ruling has been described by Premier Smith as a triumph for fairness, common sense, and the sanctity of the Canadian Constitution. It is a significant victory for the province of Alberta, which has vehemently opposed the Impact Assessment Act, often referred to as the “No More Pipelines Act.”
Smith expressed her concerns regarding the detrimental effects of the Act, which she referred to as the “Don’t Build Anything Anywhere Act.” The legislation, in her opinion, posed a severe threat to Alberta’s economy, already leading to the loss of billions in investments and thousands of jobs across various sectors. Today’s ruling provides an opportunity for provinces to regain investor confidence and lure jobs back to their economies.
The Supreme Court’s decision reaffirmed the primary jurisdiction of non-renewable natural resource development as the sole prerogative of provinces. It also clarified that the Act did not apply to activities primarily within provincial jurisdiction, including conventional oil and gas, oil sands, hard rock mining, and other non-renewable resource developments. This ruling is seen as a significant win for protecting provincial rights enshrined in the Canadian Constitution.
Premier Smith stressed that the Impact Assessment Act gave the Federal Government nearly unlimited power to intervene in major projects across the country. Businesses, six provinces, First Nations, NGOs, and Canadians from all over the nation have voiced their opposition to the Act. The Supreme Court’s decision now unequivocally sides with Alberta and its allies in the fight against what they see as unconstitutional federal overreach.
Premier Smith also took the opportunity to address ongoing issues related to Ottawa’s “uninformed and unrealistic electricity regulations” and “oil and gas emissions cap.” She warned that these measures would damage Alberta’s economy, hinder development, erode constitutional rights, and put jobs at risk while making life more expensive for all Canadians.
Smith made it clear that Alberta would not accept being shackled by Ottawa’s unfair overreach and that the province was ready to defend its constitutional authority. She expressed her commitment to partner with willing provinces, First Nations, and allies to fight unconstitutional federal overreach through legal means, even hinting at the possibility of introducing legislation within Alberta’s sovereignty framework.
The Alberta Premier thanked other provinces, First Nations, business groups, NGOs, and all who supported their cause and defended the constitutional rights of provinces. She also acknowledged the efforts of former Premier Jason Kenney, who had vigorously opposed federal overreach during his term.
Smith concluded by extending an invitation to the federal government to work together in good faith, aligning efforts to meet 2050 emissions reduction targets and to develop Alberta’s energy sector and electricity grid. She hoped the Supreme Court’s decision would create an opportunity for more constructive federal-provincial discussions.
In response to questions from the media, Premier Smith reiterated that the Act’s sections pertaining to natural resource development and electricity generation are firmly within provincial jurisdiction, emphasizing the need for Ottawa to respect these constitutional boundaries. Smith encouraged collaboration on achieving 2050 emissions targets but noted that they would not accept further unconstitutional interference.
She cited the decline in natural gas projects in the queue as evidence of the uncertainty created by the Impact Assessment Act and expressed her readiness to assert provincial jurisdiction through legislation if the federal government continued to challenge it.
Premier Smith’s press conference marks a significant turning point in Alberta’s ongoing battle against what they perceive as federal overreach, offering a glimpse of a resurgent province eager to reestablish itself as a destination for business and economic growth.