Canada ‘Sacrificed on Altar of Anti-Development’ With Only 1.5 Percent of Global Emissions: Alberta Energy Minister

Alberta MLA Brian Jean arrives at the United Conservative Party caucus in Calgary, Alta., on May 19, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

Alberta’s energy minister says Canada is being “sacrificed on the altar of anti-development” as the federal government pushes clean energy regulations despite the country’s carbon emissions only representing 1.5 percent of total global emissions.

The comments were in response to federal regulations that would see Canada achieve a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. The plan is to focus on investing in energy sources like wind and solar, smart grid, and energy storage systems.

United Conservative Party’s (UCP) Brian Jean made the comments on X, posting a Global Carbon Atlas graphic that shows emissions of 175 countries for 2021. China is the top emitter according to the graphic with 30.9 percent of emissions. The United States is second at 13.5 percent, and India third at 7.3 percent.

“Canada—at only 1.5 percent—is being sacrificed on the altar of anti-development / anti-progress / anti-energy ideologies in Ottawa,” Mr. Jean wrote.

“We can phase out emissions and help the world decarbonize all while we grow Alberta’s energy industry.”

Premier Danielle Smith has previously suggested exporting more natural gas to Asia and Eastern Europe to help reduce global emissions.

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Ms. Smith shared a Financial Post commentary by Enbridge’s CEO Greg Ebel on Oct. 6, saying, “If used to displace coal in Asia and eastern Europe, Canadian natural gas would have a tremendous impact on reducing global emissions.”

“A great opportunity to reduce global emissions and bolster Canada’s economy,” Ms. Smith posted, tagging federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.

“Can we agree to start working together on this win/win opportunity,” she asked in the post.

The Epoch Times reached out to Mr. Guilbeault’s office but did not immediately hear back.

Guilbeault has said that his government isn’t singling out the oil and gas sector.

“I don’t think in 2023 you can be a good corporate citizen and not play your role,” he told The Canadian Press.

Emissions Conflict

Alberta’s UCP government often clashes with the Trudeau government over the feds’ emission policies.

Alberta has invested in a national advertising campaign to encourage Canadians to reject some of the clean energy regulations proposed by the federal government.

Ms. Smith has called the legislation “poorly conceived ... disastrously uninformed, and totally disconnected from reality.”

She has also joined with some of the other conservative premiers to call for the federal government to eliminate the carbon tax. Many other premiers have also joined forces to call on Ottawa to eliminate the carbon tax for all forms of home heating.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently put a pause on the tax for home heating oil, a move that largely benefits Atlantic Canada where 30 percent of residents rely on the oil to heat their homes. However, Mr. Trudeau has resisted calls to eliminate the carbon tax on other forms of heating, like natural gas.