Guilbeault Says He’s Confident He Can Work With Alberta Premier on Contentious Climate Policies

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith delivers her victory speech at UCP headquarters in Calgary on May 29, 2023. (Michael Wing/The Epoch Times)

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says he is confident he can work with newly re-elected Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her United Conservative Party (UCP) on points of disagreement regarding some of Ottawa’s climate policies centred on reaching net-zero national emissions by 2050.

“I’m confident that we will be able to work our differences out with them,” Guilbeault said while speaking to reporters in Ottawa on May 30.

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc also commented on the matter to reporters, with LeBlanc saying he looks forward to having “constructive” discussions with Smith on federal climate policies and working through “areas of disagreement.”

Wilkinson also said he looks forward to working with Smith “on a range of different things” before adding that the Alberta government recognizes the need for “climate change”-oriented policies.

“Albertans are no different than other Canadians,” he said. “They believe in climate change and the importance of addressing it, but they want to do it in a smart way, in a way that recognizes economic realities and looks to build on the opportunities for the future.”

Smith addressed Ottawa’s climate policies during her victory speech on May 30, saying she will stand up for Alberta’s energy sector and will not allow the federal government to place restrictions on natural gas-generated electricity. She also said the province will not accept federal production caps.

“The prime minister is already ready to introduce a de-facto production cap on our oil and gas sector that, if implemented … will result in tens of thousands of jobs lost, tens of billions lost in investment, damage our province’s fiscal position, and bring economic hardship to Albertans,” Smith said.

‘Won’t Agree on Everything’

Based on these comments, reporters asked LeBlanc if he expects the federal government will have a difficult time working with Smith on climate policy issues.

He said he is encouraged by two meetings he held with Smith prior to her re-election, which he said were “constructive.”

“I said to her very directly that we won’t agree on everything. Let’s start by focusing on the things we agree on,” he said.

LeBlanc also said he believes Smith’s comments directed at Ottawa during her victory speech were spurred on by the fact that she had just come off a heated re-election campaign.

“It was election night,” he said. “Usually the days that follow your victory speech and a hard-fought election necessarily reflect some of the things that you said in the election campaign.”

“If you’re on a boat and you slow the boat down too quickly, the wave comes in the back and can swamp the boat. These are normal parts of election campaigns.”

Marnie Cathcart contributed to this report.