Premier Danielle Smith and Premier Scott Moe
Western Premiers Demand Ottawa Roll Back Contentious Federal Policies
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe are calling on the federal government to reverse a series of environmental and trade policies they say are stalling economic growth in Western Canada. Meeting in Lloydminster, the premiers issued a joint statement demanding sweeping changes to Ottawa’s approach to resource development and international trade.
The premiers said Ottawa must remove what they described as barriers to major infrastructure and energy projects. Top of their list is repealing or overhauling the Impact Assessment Act, which they say fails to respect provincial jurisdiction and creates obstacles to “nation-building resource development and transportation projects.” They are also calling for the elimination of the proposed oil and gas emissions cap, withdrawal of the Clean Electricity Regulations, and repeal of the northern west coast oil tanker ban.
In addition, the statement calls on the federal government to abandon the national net-zero vehicle mandate and repeal any federal laws or regulations that attempt to govern industrial carbon emissions, plastics, or commercial free speech by energy companies. The premiers say the federal approach undermines investment confidence and weakens Canada’s global competitiveness.
“Starting with additional oil and gas pipeline access to tidewater on the west coast, our provinces must also see guaranteed corridor and port-to-port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts,” the statement read. “This is critical for the international export of oil, gas, critical minerals, agricultural and forestry products, and other resources.”
The premiers also raised concerns about Canada’s strained trade relationships with China and the United States. They pointed to ongoing Chinese tariffs on Canadian agri-food products and recent tariff increases by the United States on Canadian steel and aluminum, calling both situations damaging to Western producers. They urged the federal government to prioritize tariff removal in ongoing diplomatic talks.
“Alberta and Saskatchewan agree that the federal government must change its policies if it is to reach its stated goal of becoming a global energy superpower and having the strongest economy in the G7,” the premiers said. “We need to have a federal government that works with, rather than against, the economic interests of Alberta and Saskatchewan.”
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