Alberta’s only federal minister says he wants to have a conversation with Daniel Smith

Alberta will lead the Canadian economy in the next two to three years. So let’s work together for Canada’s benefitRandy Boissonault said in an interview Behind the curtain of power.

In his victory speech, Alberta’s premier warned Ottawa not to hurt its oil industry, curb emissions and force the province to become carbon neutral by 2035.

The tourism minister and associate finance minister say he had a good relationship with Smith’s predecessors, Conservative Jason Kenney and New Democrat Rachel Notley. And he wants to continue in the same vein.

But the path he has to take to get there may be a difficult one. Since becoming the leader of the United Conservative Party, Mrs. Smith has condemned Ottawa’s environmental ambitions, which he sees as threatening his province’s economic vitality.

We are already ahead of the 2030 target this yearEnvisioning new projects to reduce CO footprint, Mr. Boissonnault replied.² of the province.

That includes the Heidelberg Cement plant in Edmonton, which is planning carbon capture and storage by 2050. And there’s Air Products, which will build a natural conversion plant with a $300 million federal investment. gas in hydrogen.

Daniel Smith is ready to reset the counter

Alberta Conservative strategist Sarah Biggs isn’t as optimistic as the federal minister. In an interview with Daniel Thibeault, Ms. Biggs believes this is an ambitious goal, one that is harder to achieve in Alberta than in other Canadian provinces.

Alberta Conservative strategist Sarah Biggs

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Photo: Radio-Canada

On both sides, some must be taken and some must be left To ensure Alberta’s labor market doesn’t collapse like the oil industry did, Ms. Biggs added.

He calls on the federal government to adopt a collaborative tone and consult with the business community, the oil industry, unions and provincial politicians to come up with a plan that works for everyone.

Last Monday, Daniel Smith said he was ready to reset the counter on his relationship with Ottawa. Randy Boissonault announced that he would listen to the premier, whom he described as a practical woman who, like him, had the interests of the people at heart.

” What is the plan for good jobs, good industries for Albertans? How can we accelerate the plan to achieve carbon neutrality? How can we continue to value Alberta’s contribution to the Commonwealth? »

These are Randy Poissonnault’s intentions. Daniel Smith’s government’s response can’t wait.