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Moe, Smith call for federal support of energy projects, end to some industry regulations
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The premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta met Wednesday in Lloydminster — a city that straddles their shared boundary — for a joint caucus meeting.
As they've done in the past, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta's Danielle Smith called for federal support for energy projects and the abandonment of some industry regulations — this time seated side-by-side.
Their demands are outlined in a joint statement released after Wednesday's meeting. Those include an end to federal interference in the development of provincial resources.
"The national self-sabotage that has happened over the last ten years has to end," Smith said.
Moe said this moment is a chance for Canada to take its place as an energy superpower.
"This is an opportunity that I would say is unlike any opportunity that I've seen in my lifetime for each of us as Canadians. And I'm, you know, very hopeful and excited on where this conversation will go in the next number of months," he said.
Moe said he is optimistic about Prime Minister Mark Carney's nation building plans. Smith said she too is hopeful, but wants the two provinces to have more of a say.
The premiers want the feds to eliminate the proposed oil and gas emissions cap and repeal any federal law regulating industrial carbon emissions, plastics or the commercial free speech of energy companies.
"If I understand where the Prime Minister is attempting to go, if he very soon is able to announce a project list that has 20 or more substantial projects on it that include mining projects and transmission projects and power projects and pipeline projects, I think that would send a pretty big message to the world about the direction that we're going," Smith said.
But Alberta's premier said legislation should also encourage private sectors to invest in big energy projects. Moe shares that view.
"Policies certainly matter. And the policies are much larger than a single pipeline that might have to be built," he said.
Along with oil and gas pipeline access, the two premiers are also demanding the exploration of export potential in critical minerals, agriculture, and forestry product.
Moe says Canada's top priority should be building an energy corridor that connects the northwest coast to the coast of Hudson Bay.
"A port-to-port corridor in Western Canada connecting northwestern Pacific ports to the Hudson Bay would provide the opportunity for us to have access to Asian [and] European markets for years into the future, for generations into the future," Moe said.
Concerns with Bill C-5
The joint press conference comes after the Liberals passed a closure motion Monday morning to speed through study and debate of Bill C-5 by week's end. Multiple MPs and premiers were critical of the swift timeline.
Government House leader Steven MacKinnon defended the bill's timeline, arguing that the government has public buy-in since the bill delivers on major campaign promises from the recent election.
"We just had the ultimate democratic test, and you know what we heard?" he said. "Get this country moving. We need a response to the threats coming from down south."
The legislation would give the federal cabinet the ability to set aside various statutes to push forward approvals for a small number of major industrial products, such as mines, pipelines and ports, if the government deems them to be in the national interest.
The government expects to pass the bill by the end of Friday.
Moe and Smith said if Prime Minister Mark Carney wants Canada to have the strongest G7 economy, he needs to repeal policies like the West Coast tanker ban and net-zero electricity regulations.
