Latest news with #AlbertaLegislature
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Smith says she sees a 'breakthrough' in talks with Americans on energy
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 4 minute read Premier Danielle Smith speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alberta Legislature, in Edmonton Tuesday May 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia WASHINGTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on Wednesday there's been a 'breakthrough' in conversations with Americans on Canada's role in the United States' quest for energy dominance as President Donald Trump's tariffs continue to cause uncertainty for the bilateral relationship. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'We've managed to make a breakthrough on the discussion about energy dominance and how Canada can lend itself to that, whether its our oil, our gas, critical minerals, uranium from Saskatchewan, electricity from many of our provinces,' Smith said in an interview with The Canadian Press at the embassy in Washington, D.C. 'I feel like there's a real understanding of that.' Trump returned to the White House set on boosting America's energy production. Smith said that while the energy argument has seen success, conversations around other industries are ongoing. The Alberta premier was in the United States capital for meetings and a forum on energy this week as Trump doubled his tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Canada is a major supplier to the U.S. and Canadian industry says 50 per cent levies will be devastating. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Smith said she had conversations with American counterparts and explained that, particularly for aluminum tariffs, they are 'the very definition of a tariff being its own punishment.' The United States imports about 60 per cent of its aluminum from Canada. The Canadian industry largely uses hydroelectricity to make the high energy costs connected to smelting more affordable. Smith said the U.S. doesn't have the ability to develop a homegrown industry to fill the gaps. 'We just have to make sure we are able to make that same (energy) argument on everything else, on the integrated food market, the integrated manufacturing market,' Smith said, also pointing to timber. '(We) haven't had a full breakthrough on all of that but I think the conversations I have are always very positive.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Despite conversations at home about Western alienation and Alberta separatism, Smith said that issue has not come up in Washington. The premier, however, said it's important to take the issue seriously. Trump set his sights on Canada early in his return to the White House and his tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles have upended Canadian industries. The president has repeatedly said he doesn't need anything from Canada but his actions have shown signs that he still values trade with America's northern neighbour. Trump slapped Canada with economywide duties in March, only to walk back the tariffs on imports complaint with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, called CUSMA, a few days later. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was asked during a U.S. Senate hearing Wednesday about tariffs on Canada. Lutnick pointed to the trilateral agreement and said imports that are compliant with CUSMA remain tariff-free. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. CUSMA was negotiated during the first Trump administration and was up for a mandatory review next year. Smith said it remains unclear when CUSMA negotiations might start but there is 'encouragement or expectation that we might get some kind of detente or interim agreement by the time we have the G7.' It's unclear whether that will be commitments on CUSMA or a separate agreement on the current tariffs. Carney has said Canada will negotiate a new economic and security agreement with the United States. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who met with Lutnick in Washington Tuesday, said he's 'hopeful that we can get to the best outcome for Canadians.' Carney and Trump will join leaders from France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union from June 15 to 17 for the G7 leaders summit in Kananaskis. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has also been invited to attend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Smith said it 'just makes so much sense for Canada and the U.S. to get to an agreement fast.' She said Americans have 'bigger fish to fry' on other major policy priorities. Smith was optimistic about Carney's relationship with Trump. While the president recently brought back comments on making Canada a U.S. state, Trump has also spoken about a good relationship with Carney and calls him prime minister and not the 'governor' title he used to taunt former prime minister Justin Trudeau. It also marks a change in tone for the Alberta premier, who had an icy relationship with Ottawa under Trudeau. Smith has long been critical of the governing Liberal's policies around energy which she says micromanaged Alberta's priorities and hindered industry. She said federal policies stopped Alberta from developing foreign markets that would be critical for many Canadian industries as Trump tries to realign global trade through tariffs. Following the First Ministers' meeting in Saskatoon earlier this week, Smith said she is 'hoping that we are having a breakthrough with the Liberals way of seeing things.' Smith had proposed a bitumen pipeline to B.C.'s northern coast coupled with support for a project on decarbonization. She said 'if we can work together on developing new markets then I think it will be good for everyone.' B.C. deputy premier Niki Sharma has pushed back on Smith's proposal, saying the province is focusing on 'shovel-ready projects, not theoretical projects with no proponents.' Canada Celebrity Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Former speaker Cooper shifts briefly out of impartial mode in the Alberta legislature
Almost literally on his way out the door last week, the former speaker of the Alberta legislature spoke. But this time the words from Nathan Cooper's mouth were those of a regular member of the assembly. For six years, he was the official keeper of decorum during the politically charged back-and-forth under the dome. When Cooper spoke, everyone listened and everyone obeyed, for the most part politely accepting his rulings and interpretations based on centuries of parliamentary tradition. His absence from the rank-and-file and his short-lived return did not go unmentioned. 'I'm proud to say that the honourable member was one of the first people to support me in my byelection in 2018. But it took him 2,499 days, or six years, 10 months and three days, to actually ask me a question in this house,' quipped Devin Dreeshen, the minister of transportation and economic corridors. Dreeshen represents the central Alberta riding of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, right next to Cooper's riding of Olds-Disbury-Three Hills. First elected by the assembly as speaker in May 2019, Cooper held the role until announcing just before the end of this spring's sitting that he was stepping down. Cooper is also resigning as the member elected by voters in his riding, having accepted a government appointment as Alberta's representative in Washington, DC. But before packing his bags, Cooper tossed softballs to members of cabinet, talked up his riding and praised the UCP government for its spending in rural Alberta. He said: 'In the outstanding constituency of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, every spring farmers invest in seeds and fertilizer to make the crops grow, just like our government invests in infrastructure and the future of our province to make this province grow. With new schools and innovative projects, we reap the benefits of that growth.' Rajan Sawhney, then the minister of advanced education, took the cue to mention $63 million over three years for the expansion of the W.J. Elliot Building at Olds College. The expansion creates 440 apprenticeship seats and 100 new dual credit seats. Since 2019 the government has provided the college with operating grants worth $200 million and capital maintenance and renewal funding worth $27 million, added Sawhney, the member for Calgary-North West. 'I want to thank the member for his incredible advocacy on behalf of his constituents,' said Sawhney, who on Friday was sworn in as Indigenous affairs minister in a limited cabinet shuffle. For Acme, a village that's also in Cooper's riding, the former speaker touted the building of a rural centre of training excellence in conjunction with a new high school. He asked the education minister to explain why training at home is 'keeping rural Alberta vibrant.' Demetrios Nicolaides responded that investing in rural Alberta is a long-time government priority. Training helps communities 'grow talent at home' to contribute to the local community and economy, said Nicolaides, the member for Calgary-Bow. For his part, Dreeshen singled out $3.5 million budgeted for a water project in Mountain View county. Cooper had asked him to detail his 'favourite investments' in rural Alberta — to interjections from the floor. 'Order, order, order,' said the speaker. As in Ric McIver, the new speaker and the former minister of municipal affairs. McIver was elected speaker by a vote of the assembly May 13. He's a fourth-term MLA for Calgary-Hays. Cooper first entered provincial politics in the 2015 general election, representing the Wildrose party. On his last day as speaker, May 7, Cooper said: 'Serving this assembly has been one of the greatest honours of my lifetime. Standing alongside each of you and serving you has been a dream that I've lived out each day. 'But today that dream comes to an end, as my time in the chair will only last a few more minutes.' --------------------------------------------- By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Macleod Gazette
CBC
18-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Alberta Legislature fountains reopen to mixed reviews
After two years of renovations, the renewed Alberta Legislature grounds are open again to the public. CBC's Sam Brooks went to check out how some new fountains are making a splash with Edmontonians.
CTV News
17-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
New ‘river' water feature open at Alberta legislature
The dome fountain at the Alberta legislature reopened in 2024 after four years of renovations. It is pictured here on May 16, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)
National Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Everything you need to know about the threat of Alberta separatism
Article content After the Conservatives' federal election loss, some Albertans frustrated with Liberal government policies are rallying for separation from Canada. Recently, hundreds of separatists held a rally at the Alberta legislature, angered at the province's place within confederation. Article content It's not the first time Albertans have pushed for sovereignty. There were upswings in separatist sentiment during the National Energy Program in the 1980s. More recently, separatist agitators gained steam in the dying years of the 2010s, angered over Liberal legislation that targeted the energy sector and a general downturn in the petro-province's economic fortunes. This culminated with the now-defunct Wexit movement. Article content Article content Now, separatist sentiment is back. And Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has made it easier for separatists to get a referendum on the ballot by reducing the threshold necessary to do so. She said if Albertans want it, her government will hold a referendum on separation. Here's what you need to know about the likelihood of that and the strength of the Alberta separatist movement. Article content Article content Just once was a separatist elected to the Alberta legislature. Gordon Kesler, an oil scout and rodeo rider, won a byelection in 1982. He was elected by voters in Olds, Alta., who didn't like bilingualism, the metric system, gun control and then prime minister Pierre Trudeau's National Energy Program. Kesler won, but he sat only for two-and-a-half months, before running in the general election and losing solidly. Article content But it turns out Kesler wasn't a true believer: By 1983, he was vowing to leave the Western Canada Concept party unless it dropped separatism from its platform. Article content Article content Despite the deep admiration that conservative Albertans tend to express for Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister can also be identified as the first prime minister to put the needs of central Canada over the needs of the west. His 1878 National Policy was crafted specifically to force east-west rather than north-south trade, to the outrage of those in what was then the North-West Territories. Article content Article content This sentiment has ebbed and flowed over the years (and also existed beyond Alberta's borders, in other parts of the Prairies). There was anger in some parts of the west over the 1885 execution of Louis Riel, a Métis leader who is now recognized by many as the founder of Manitoba. Preston Manning, the founder of the federal Reform Party, traces the origins of alienation back to that event, as well as land surveys of the west done in 1869 with insufficient regard for the local populations. Freight rates on the national railways were also a source of grievance.
