For Alberta Premier Daniel Smith, more pressing than the timing of the next federal election is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finding a new federal environment minister.
In a recent survey by Nanos Research, 46% of respondents said they want the next election to be held as soon as possible, i.e. in 2024.
In an interview on CTV Your Morning on Friday, Smith was asked about the survey and whether Albertans want to go to the polls sooner than the currently scheduled October 2025 date.
In response, Smith did not specify his hopes for the next election, but said the state wanted “immediate replacement of Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault.”
“So they can start there, and we’ll know when we go to the polls,” she said.
Smith cited Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne as examples of members of Trudeau’s cabinet who have “good relationships with several federal ministers” and who He said he believes he is a “true defender of our state.” These are the people who have collaborated with her on recent projects.
“So there are some ministers we can work with, but I don’t think we can work with Stephen Guilbeault,” Smith added.
The prime minister also reiterated that he believes Guilbeault has committed “acts that are in complete violation of the constitution,” “illegal acts,” and has a “rebellious and disrespectful attitude toward the region.” He has previously criticized the federal government’s recent announcement of crude oil. Emission caps for the gas sector.
Meanwhile, Guilbeault told CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos last month that there is “a chance” the federal government will reach its goal if it stays on its current path.
“We feel that we are on very solid legal and constitutional grounds,” Guilbeault said of the oil and gas emissions cap. “Alberta and Saskatchewan challenge almost everything we do in court when it comes to combating climate change. We expect this to be no different.”
Guilbeault also told the Canadian Press in November that he had no intention of resigning from the federal government’s carbon pricing plan even if there was a carve-out in the future, after telling the Senate in November that he had no intention of resigning from the plan as long as his circumstances lasted. said there are no further exemptions. Minister.
In an interview with Your Morning, responding to a question about his willingness to work with the federal government on broader environmental and clean energy protections, Smith said Alberta has its own plans and that Ottawa’s goals are unlikely. He said it was possible.
Alberta and the federal government have clashed repeatedly over the Liberal deadline to reach a net-zero grid by 2035, which Smith said would “not only hinder our growth but also be unachievable.” ” he says.
“So we’re just asking for a rational approach. We think we can achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” she said. “We believe we are responsibly ensuring reliability, affordability and achieving our goals.”
Mr. Smith also announced his proposal to remove Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan (something the federal government and other premiers have staunchly opposed) and the Alberta Health Service Reform, which would split the province’s health care delivery into four parts. The proposal was also discussed. agency.
The full interview detailing Smith’s 2024 priorities can be viewed on CTV’s Your Morning in the video player at the top of this article.
With files from Rachel Aiello, CTVNews.ca’s Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter