Alberta Puts Ottawa On Notice

Newly re-elected Premier Danielle Smith sure isn’t wasting any time!

During her victory speech, Smith had a stern warning for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the rest of his radical environmentalist team.

Do not proceed with restrictions on electricity generation from natural gas. 

Do not introduce an emissions cap that is, in reality, a de facto oil and gas production cap.

Do not cause our province tens of thousands of job losses.

Do not damage Alberta’s fiscal position.

“Hopefully, the Prime Minister and his caucus are watching tonight,” said Smith. “Let me be clear. This is not a road we can afford to go down. If he persists, he will be hurting Canadians from coast to coast and he will strain the patience and goodwill of Albertans in an unprecedented fashion. And, as Premier, I cannot under any circumstances allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans. I simply can’t, and I won’t.”

- Premier Danielle Smith

But, all the warnings in the world will not stop a determined Trudeau and his ideologically motivated environment minister from trying.

Ottawa’s net-zero ambitions are coming, and they’re threatening to drive out investment, drive up the cost of living, and decimate our economy.

The production cap, marketed not-so-cleverly as "only" an emissions cap, is expected to be announced sometime soon. 

And, while the Just Transition was “delayed” after public outcry (including from many of you!), it will most definitely be returning now that the Alberta election is out of the way.

But, Albertans have sent Smith back to Edmonton with a renewed mandate to stand up to Ottawa’s persistent overreach.

And she’ll have plenty of provincial allies to work with on these issues.

Scott Moe, in particular, is fired up.

He was candid and direct in response to the Trudeau government’s plan for a net-zero electricity grid by 2035.

“In Saskatchewan, we will not attempt the impossible when it comes to power production in our province. We will not risk plunging our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our special care homes, our businesses into the cold and darkness because of the ideological whims of others... Saskatchewan must have affordable and reliable electricity available on demand.”

- Premier Scott Moe

But it’s not just Saskatchewan on board.

The Impact Assessment Act proved that there is widespread opposition to Trudeau’s plans from provincial governments across the country.

When Alberta took the federal government to court over the Act, not a single province supported the federal government.

In fact, eight provinces lined up against him.

The result of that court case is due soon.

“There’s a big fight coming up,” Smith said on a radio show the morning after her election.

Project Confederation is ready for that fight.

Are you?

Together, we've been the leading voice for restoring Alberta’s constitutional rights since we were founded in 2019.

Over the last four years, we’ve made Alberta’s place in Confederation one of the critical political issues of our time.

Over the next four years, our goal is a constitutional convention where Western provinces will be able to at least make their case for the changes required to make Canada fair.

Having Premiers who will stand up to Ottawa is a step in the right direction, but Smith and Moe can’t do it alone.

Groups like ours are so important in continuing to drive the conversation forward, and to push for change.

In her speech on election night, Smith alluded to Trudeau announcing more policies in a matter of weeks.

We may not have as much time as we originally thought to prepare.

Will you help us get ready for the fight?

If you are able, please make a donation to support our efforts:

We look forward to working with you all.

Regards,

Josh Andrus
Executive Director
Project Confederation