Premiers in Saskatchewan, Alberta call for end to Ottawas interference in provincial resource projects

The premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta met in Lloydminster to, once again, call on the federal government to end all “interference” in the development of provincial resources. In a joint statement, Scott Moe and Danielle Smith say laws that impede natural resource projects, which are mostly environmental laws and regulations, should be lifted by Ottawa. Those laws include the Impact Assessment Act, eliminating the proposed oil and gas emissions cap, “scrapping” the Clean Electricity Regulations, and abandoning the net-zero vehicle mandate. The premiers are also calling on Canada to “repeal any federal law or regulation that purports to regulate industrial carbon emissions, plastics or commercial free speech of energy companies.” “The federal government must remove the barriers it created and fix the federal project approval processes so that private sector proponents have the confidence to invest,” said the joint statement from Smith and Moe. “Our provinces must also see guaranteed corridor and port-to-port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts. This is critical for the international export of oil, gas, critical minerals, agricultural and forestry products.” Smith has also been pushing Ottawa to repeal Bill C-69 which was passed by the Liberals under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. It overhauled how major projects are reviewed and approved, including for environmental impacts and Indigenous consultation. It’s aim was to speed up the review process while providing stronger environmental and social accountability. The Conservatives have called it the “no more pipelines” bill, arguing it prevents projects from being approved and in many cases, from even being proposed. In early April, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the Liberals had no plan to repeal the legislation. There was no mention of consultation with First Nations, although they touched on investment partnerships with First Nations at the news conference that followed a joint caucus meeting. Smith’s communications staff cut off questions from reporters before APTN News could ask about free prior and informed consent as they push ahead and what consent would look like for the Conservative leaders. Federal legislation But other issues raised by Smith and Moe may fall under the federal government’s proposed legislation Bill C-5 which is currently being fast-tracked through Parliament with little debate or input from MPs or Indigenous Peoples. The proposed law gives unprecedented powers to the federal cabinet to sidestep more than a dozen Canadian laws including the Indian Act, Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act and Canadian Environment Protection Act in an effort to fast-track projects of “national interest.” The law aims to cut down on the decision-making process from five years to two. The bill will also allow Ottawa to make its decisions behind closed doors and without debate in Parliament or the public. Indigenous leaders say the proposed law tramples on their rights and they weren’t properly consulted before it was tabled in the House of Commons. According to the premiers, “the federal government must change its policies if it is to reach its stated goal of becoming a global energy superpower and having the strongest economy in the G7. “We need to have a federal government that works with, rather than against, the economic interests of Alberta and Saskatchewan,” the statement said. With files from the Canadian Press. Continue Reading