Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sees 'encouraging signs' in federal approach to energy
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed optimism in Prime Minister Mark Carney's approach to energy at a Calgary conference.
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However, speaking at the Global Energy Show, Smith said Carney 'has the ability to show leadership and be able to either substantially revise or completely eliminate some of those bad policies.'
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She later noted several policies, including the emissions cap, tanker ban and Bill C-69, among others.
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'A lot of the people who imposed bad policies over the last 10 years are still in key positions in either his government or his caucus . . . I recognize that he has a real challenge on climbing down on some of them,' said Smith.
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For other policy changes, she acknowledged the 'large amount' of work and time it would take to repeal them.
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'I'm going to be optimistic,' said Smith, adding she hopes for change during the next legislative session this fall.
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In addition to policy, Smith also noted a need for more 'nation-building' projects, pipelines in particular.
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'We need projects that go north to Grays Bay, that go east to Churchill, and also potentially a modern version of Energy East,' she said.
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Those routes would address Canada's geopolitical priorities and Arctic security, she added.
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'Alberta benefits tremendously from developing its energy to the fullest, but the rewards aren't limited to our province or a handful of companies — far from it. Everybody wins when Alberta realizes its full potential of its energy,' said Smith.
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'I've seen encouraging signs that the prime minister is open to this thinking. Now we need to turn these ideas and these opportunities into action,' said Smith.
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Perhaps the first step would be a couple of pipeline expansions, in particular Trans Mountain and something to the U.S., she said.
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'I know that the U.S. is quite interested in having this conversation with us about how to increase the supply of our oil going south. But then we've also seen the premiers come together, looking at a Port of Prince Rupert to Churchill energy corridor,' Smith said.
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