NorthAmOil: Alberta premier says province will not recognise Ottawa’s net-zero mandates

Tensions are still high between Alberta, Canada’s oilpatch, and the federal government over net-zero mandates.

Alberta’s premier, Danielle Smith, has said she is “disappointed” in Ottawa government’s proposals for net-zero mandates and what she has said will inevitably amount to cuts in oil and gas production.

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposals are “unconstitutional” and “extremely harmful” to both the economies of Alberta and nationally, she said in a statement.

This comes as Steven Guilbeault, the federal environment minister, is to issue guidelines soon for federal investment in the country’s oil and gas firms, most of which operate in Alberta.

The oilsands are the fourth-largest oilfield in the world, and Canada is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer.

“[The federal government’s] belief does not align with any credible forecast of future world energy consumption, which continues to see oil and gas dominating the energy supply mix for decades to come,” said Smith, of the United Conservative Party, in her July 15 statement.

“Instead of seeking ways to sow investor uncertainty and reduce support for Canadian energy globally, the federal government should focus on partnering with Alberta and investing in our national energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, while simultaneously increasing energy production, jobs and economic growth for Canadians.”

She said: “Alberta will not recognise any federally imposed emission-reduction targets for our energy and electricity sectors under any circumstances unless such targets are first consented to by the government of Alberta. Nor will Alberta recognise any right of the federal government to legislate or regulate in this exclusive area of provincial jurisdiction, or any area of shared constitutional jurisdiction, without the explicit approval of Alberta.”