‘These measures are not something that we want to do,’ Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Monday.<\/p>\n
Published Nov 27, 2023<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n Alberta Premier Danielle Smith invoked her signature sovereignty act legislation on Monday in a move that takes aim at Ottawa\u2019s electricity regulations while also laying the groundwork for the creation of a new provincial Crown corporation that would become the province\u2019s power \u201cgenerator of last resort.\u201d<\/p>\n In the legislature on Monday, government House Leader Joseph Schow gave oral notice of a Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act resolution, though it is expected to be debated by MLAs more fully on Tuesday. The resolution was sponsored by Smith and can be passed by a majority vote of MLAs.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It takes aim at the federal government\u2019s clean electricity regulations (CER) in the latest development of an ongoing feud over the timing of the regulations, with Ottawa setting a 2035 goal and Alberta insisting that to be impossible, preferring a target of 2050.<\/p>\n \u201cThese measures are not something that we want to do. They are a plan to counteract the absurd, illogical, unscientific and unconstitutional interference in Alberta\u2019s electrical grid by a federal government that simply doesn\u2019t care what happens to our province,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe refuse to meekly accept actions which are so plainly destructive to Alberta\u2019s economy and to the very safety and security of Albertan citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n The resolution asks the legislature for approval to take several actions in the coming months:<\/p>\n Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Any orders under the act would not apply to private companies or individuals.<\/p>\n When pressed by reporters, Smith conceded the changes she is seeking to implement could be accomplished without using the sovereignty act, but said the legislation serves a symbolic purpose.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re creating an opportunity for the federal government to do the right thing and back down.\u201d<\/p>\n She cited two legal defeats for the federal government as evidence for the need for Ottawa to back down, though federal officials have said the government will adjust its legislation to comply with one of the rulings and has appealed the second judgment.<\/p>\n Smith said the potential creation of a new provincial Alberta Crown corporation would give the province better energy security against the federal regulations.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s simply not enough natural gas projects coming on stream in Alberta,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The new agency would not recognize the clean electricity regulations as constitutionally sound, Smith claimed, and would act as a backstop if the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide the needed level of baseload power throughout the province.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIf they don\u2019t, then we will step in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She denied such an agency would lead to the nationalization of the province\u2019s power grid, citing ATB Financial as an example of a provincial Crown corporation that exists within an otherwise private marketplace.<\/p>\n \u201cI think people would be very surprised that we\u2019re contemplating that,\u201d she said of the prospect of establishing a new agency.<\/p>\n The clean electricity regulations remain in a draft phase and are not expected to be finalized until sometime next year.<\/p>\n They have proven to be a sore spot for relations between the provincial and federal government, who says the regulations will ensure power grids will respond to growing demand while also reducing emissions.<\/p>\n In a news conference in Ottawa later Monday, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault characterized the act as having \u201cno legal basis\u201d and being \u201cbad for Albertans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis seems to be part of a new tradition of the Alberta governments to ideologically position their government on issues of clean electricity,\u201d he said, noting the province\u2019s moratorium on renewable energy approvals announced in August.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Guilbeault said the working group between the two governments had met several times and that the sovereignty act was not brought up at any of those meetings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue moving ahead with this,\u201d he said, adding he is confident Ottawa is \u201con very solid ground\u201d as shown by agreements with other provinces and private investors.<\/p>\n When asked if the sovereignty act would affect Ottawa\u2019s 2035 timeline for the CER, Guilbeault answered, \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking Monday before the resolution was introduced, Opposition Leader Rachel Notley told reporters she viewed the sovereignty act as \u201can illegal stunt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt undermines investment certainty. It challenges our respect for the rule of law. It breaches treaty rights all over Canada, but especially here in Alberta, and it declares to the world that we just don\u2019t care about tackling climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n mblack@postmedia.com<\/p>\n Related Stories<\/p>\n Alberta beefs up security at legislature building, adding more sheriffs<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n ‘Difficult time’: Boosting nurse practitioner clinics lets physicians down, says AMA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Article content<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n![\"Danielle](\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/edmontonjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231127DB016-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=PQ6NEyUjSswF7TG-UT8Uvg\" "\\"\\"")
Premier Danielle Smith takes part in a news conference on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, where she outlined the Alberta Sovereignty Within A United Canada Act motion that she will bring before the Alberta legislature.<\/span> Photo by David Bloom<\/span> \/Postmedia<\/span><\/p>\nArticle content<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n\u2018Generator of last resort\u2019<\/h2>\n
\u2018No legal basis\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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