Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meet in Calgary. March 13, 2024. (Photo: Canadian Press)

By Eli J. Ridder

Premier Smith says Alberta working with feds where it can, despite differences

Mar 13, 2024 | 1:48 PM

CALGARY, AB – Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta is working closely with the federal government where it can, but in a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said she emphasized her concerns over the federal carbon tax program and the current environment minister.

Following the meeting, Smith said in a press conference, “Alberta will remain a willing partner when the opportunity presents itself to do so.”

The premier acknowledged there were several areas where her United Conservative government is working closely with the federal Liberals — such as on a net-zero emissions petrochemical plant and hydrogen energy investments — but said the carbon tax was a sticking point.

“There are still several issues in which there is some distance between the federal and provincial governments, such as the impact of the federal carbon tax and its cascading impacts on inflation, affordability and sustained higher interest rates,” Smith said.

“As well as the timeline to reach carbon neutrality, which we have set a target of 2050,” the premier added in a news conference at the Alberta legislature.

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Canada’s carbon price is set to rise by $15 per tonne to $85 per tonne on April 1, an increase Smith and other premiers have asked Ottawa to put on hold because of the economic impact it will have on Canadians.

Other provincial governments that have urged Ottawa to ditch the levy or pause the impending hike are Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said his party plans to force multiple votes in Parliament next week to nix the hike.

The prime minister noted that, while the carbon tax is going up, Canadians will receive more money back in rebates starting in April.

Smith said she reiterated to Trudeau her ongoing call for the environment minister Steven Guilbeault to be removed from the role and promised a reset with his successor.

“I expressed my desire, in-person, that if he chose to make a change in that portfolio, I’d be happy to have a reset in our relationship on that front,” Smith said.

Trudeau was in Calgary to promote his government’s federal dental-care program.

“[I’m] glad to be sitting down with you to talk about all the things we have been working on together,” Trudeau said ahead of the meeting.

During a later press conference highlighting the federal dental-care program, Trudeau said he stood with his environment minister despite calls from Smith for Steven Guilbeault to resign.

Wednesday marked the first time the leaders met face-to-face since last summer’s Calgary Stampede.

The relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been strained in recent months.

Smith and her government have been vocal about a number of federal policies and went as far as saying it will opt out of a national pharmacare program.

The program aims to allow every Canadian with a health card to access free diabetes medication and birth control, but Smith’s government says it won’t let Ottawa pick and choose what coverage is available to Albertans.

Trudeau was in Alberta just three weeks ago to make a housing announcement in Edmonton, but he did not meet up with Smith at that time.

READ MORE: Carbon tax rebate amounts increasing in April, rebranding stirs controversy

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