Alberta will not recognize federal net-zero mandates: Premier Danielle Smith
Global News
In a statement on Saturday, Smith called the proposed mandates "unconstitutional" and "extremely harmful" to Alberta's and Canada's economies.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she is “disappointed” in the federal government’s proposals for net-zero mandates and oil and gas production cuts.
In a statement on Saturday, Smith called the proposed mandates “unconstitutional” and “extremely harmful” to Alberta’s and Canada’s economies.
This comes after federal Environmental Minister Steven Guilbeault announced he will be publishing policy guidelines that will dictate the circumstances for the flow of future federal investment to Canadian oil and gas firms.
In an interview from Brussels Friday, Guilbeault said the policy will be similar to one the government announced last year that ended most of Canada’s public financing for international fossil-fuel projects.
That means going forward, new domestic fossil-fuel projects are only to receive federal funding if the government can reconcile them with Canada’s climate commitments.
“This belief does not align with any credible forecast of future world energy consumption, which continue to see oil and gas dominating the energy supply mix for decades to come,” Smith said in Saturday’s statement.
“Instead of seeking ways to sow investor uncertainty and reduce support for Canadian energy globally, the federal government should focus on partnering with Alberta and investing in our national energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, while simultaneously increasing energy production, jobs and economic growth for Canadians.”
Smith added Alberta will not recognize any federally-imposed emissions reduction targets for the province’s energy and electricity sectors because they are under provincial jurisdiction.
