Alberta’s New Pro-Oil Premier To Oppose Justin Trudeau

The new premier of oil-rich Alberta, Danielle Smith, has promised to support the province’s growth and development without seeking approval from Ottawa to produce and export energy.

“Today marks a new beginning in the Alberta story,” Alberta’s newly elected premier told members of her United Conservative Party (UCP).  “No longer will Alberta ask permission from Ottawa to be prosperous and free… we will not have our resources landlocked or our energy phased out of existence by a virtue-signalling prime minister.”

The province has the world’s third-biggest crude reserves. However, it has been trying to increase oil and gas production while the federal government passes legislation to cut emissions and make Canada a net-zero economy by 2050.

Alberta’s oil output and economy have benefited from rising oil and gas prices so far this year, but the province still wants to find more export outlets for its hydrocarbon resources, which have been primarily prohibited by the federal government or nearby provinces.

Smith also promised to bring the Alberta Sovereignty Act, this will allow the province to oppose specific federal laws.

Political experts have stated that the act is unconstitutional and should be thrown down in court, however, they also warn that it might further increase tensions between Ottawa and Alberta.

Political science professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University, Lori Williams said: “On the business side you might get a bit of a drop in investment confidence until they see exactly what is going on”

“The problem with Smith is that she has ramped up the anger and raised expectations, and the question is if they cannot be met does that anger turn on her,” Williams said.