- Premier Danielle Smith says the Province is actively seeking private-sector partners to build a new crude oil pipeline to the West Coast, potentially ending in Prince Rupert. Smith emphasized that no company will proceed without a clear path to regulatory approval, criticizing federal policies like the tanker ban and emissions cap as key obstacles. Smith encouraged attendees of the Global Energy Show, where she was speaking, to pressure Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to support major infrastructure as part of his “energy superpower” vision. She’s also exploring export options via the East Coast and Hudson Bay, praising Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew for supporting oil shipments through Churchill. While Trans Mountain remains the only westbound pipeline to tidewater, Smith argued that additional routes are essential to diversify markets beyond the United States.
- Speaking of Premier Smith, her approval rating has risen to 51%, the highest since she took office in 2022, according to recent Angus Reid polling. While most provincial premiers saw declining support, Smith and Manitoba’s Wab Kinew were the only leaders with month-over-month increases. Smith’s rise coincides with her increased profile on the national and international stage, including visits to Mar-a-Lago and advocacy on oil and gas issues. Despite the improved rating, polling shows Smith remains one of Canada’s most polarizing premiers, with Albertans sharply split in their opinions: about a third strongly support her, while a slightly larger share strongly disapprove.
- The 2025 G7 Summit is underway in Kananaskis, bringing together world leaders to address pressing global challenges like security, economic instability, and climate-related disasters. Prime Minister Mark Carney, hosting for the first time, has outlined priorities including foreign interference, critical mineral supply chains, wildfire response, and securing new investment partnerships. Invited guests include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and world conflicts are expected to dominate discussions. Security is extremely tight for the summit, with the RCMP managing Canada’s largest-ever domestic security operation, including drone defenses and wildfire monitoring. Protesters will be kept far from the site but allowed to livestream their demonstrations into the summit.
- A recent report claims that Alberta’s new cleanup rules for renewable energy projects, introduced in early 2024, are making the province less competitive for investment. These regulations require developers to provide a substantial upfront reclamation security - 30% initially, increasing to 60% after 15 years - to cover future site cleanup costs like dismantling equipment and restoring vegetation. The Business Renewables Centre-Canada found Alberta’s upfront financial demands to be the highest among 27 jurisdictions, especially since the rules don’t consider the salvage value of materials like metals and concrete. Alberta’s government says the new policies aim to avoid past mistakes seen in oil and gas cleanup liabilities, but critics say clearer, more balanced regulations are needed to maintain investor confidence.
- Premier Danielle Smith has renewed her criticism of former federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, now Heritage Minister, calling him out for trying to create new federally protected parks in Alberta that could block pipeline and energy projects. Smith says she will not agree to any new federal parks in the province and insisted that any protected areas should be managed provincially instead. Guilbeault, responsible for Parks Canada, denied the claim, emphasizing that park approvals involve collaboration with Indigenous groups, provinces, and local governments, not unilateral federal decisions. Smith pointed to past cases where Ottawa bypassed Alberta’s government to work directly with municipalities on park creation, which led to a provincial law requiring consent for urban park expansions. Critics also blame Guilbeault for poor management of Jasper National Park before the devastating wildfires in 2024 and for sidelining provincial officials during recovery efforts.