Key Takeaways
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has signed an energy accord with Ottawa, which she describes as a "clear win" for the province.
- The deal has been met with criticism from B.C. Premier David Eby, who was left out of negotiations and is concerned about the potential impact on his province.
- The agreement includes tweaks or exemptions to several federal laws that were seen as inhibiting the energy sector in Alberta.
- The UCP convention has become a flagship event for party faithful, with over 4,000 people attending and discussing policy proposals such as reintroducing coal-fired electricity and ending public funding for third-trimester abortions.
- The debate around Alberta independence is not formally on the agenda, but prominent separatist supporter Jeff Rath received a standing ovation from the crowd, and Premier Smith was booed by delegates when she expressed her support for a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.
Introduction to the Energy Accord
The recent energy accord signed between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ottawa has been touted as a reset of the relationship between the two governments and a step towards Canada’s transformation into an energy superpower. However, the deal has been met with criticism from B.C. Premier David Eby, who was left out of negotiations and is concerned about the potential impact on his province. The agreement includes tweaks or exemptions to several federal laws that were seen as inhibiting the energy sector in Alberta, including a potential exemption from the West Coast tanker ban.
Reaction from the UCP Convention
The UCP convention, which took place in Edmonton, has become a flagship event for party faithful, with over 4,000 people attending and discussing policy proposals such as reintroducing coal-fired electricity and ending public funding for third-trimester abortions. Premier Smith defended the energy accord, stating that it was a "clear win" for the province and that she had secured seven out of the nine changes she had requested to federal laws. However, the deal was not widely discussed during her sit-down session with the audience, and it was only mentioned when a member expressed concerns about the industrial carbon price included in the agreement.
Debate Around Alberta Independence
The debate around Alberta independence is not formally on the agenda at the UCP convention, but it was a topic of discussion among delegates. Prominent separatist supporter Jeff Rath received a standing ovation from the crowd when he asked how many of them supported independence. Premier Smith, on the other hand, was booed by delegates when she expressed her support for a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. The premier stated that she knows there are many reasons why people are skeptical, but she believes that the energy accord is a step in the right direction and that it would not have been possible under the previous Liberal government.
The Alberta Next Panel Series
Premier Smith also discussed the outcome of her Alberta Next panel series, which was announced in June to take residents’ feedback on how the province can change its relationship with Ottawa. The 10-stop cross-province tour drew parallels with the Fair Deal panel struck in 2019 by former premier Jason Kenney, which aimed to find ways Alberta could take ownership over its affairs from Ottawa. The panel saw agreement among Albertans on taking more control over immigration, and Premier Smith suggested that her government could take action on this policy for newcomers.
Potential Policy Changes
The UCP convention also saw discussions on potential policy changes, including implementing a provincial police force, exiting the Canada Pension Plan for an Alberta-run plan, and withdrawing from the joint tax collection agreement with the Canada Revenue Agency in favor of filing income taxes with the province. Premier Smith stated that there is a strong consensus among Albertans on taking more control over immigration and that her government could take action on this policy. However, other policy options, such as moving forward with an Alberta Pension Plan, received mixed results in the online survey, and Premier Smith stated that it is hard to see whether there is a clear journey one way or the other on this proposal.
Criticisms and Controversies
The Alberta Next panel series has been criticized for tilting the deck in favor of the province’s preferred options by asking leading questions. One question, for example, asked: "Do you agree that the current federal transfer and equalization system is unfair to Alberta?" Straw polls for the government’s proposals received unanimous endorsement at almost every event, despite occasional pushback at the mic from individual attendees. Results from the online survey have not been published, which has raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the panel series. Despite these criticisms, Premier Smith remains committed to her vision for Alberta’s future and is pushing forward with her policy proposals, which are likely to have significant implications for the province and the country as a whole.
