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Alberta

The ‘campdown’ is on for summer

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Alberta Parks’ new camping reservation platform launches another promising summer camping season.

May long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for many Albertans hoping to book their camping spot for the upcoming season. This year, Alberta Parks introduced a new camping reservation platform to help Albertans and visitors plan for their camping adventures.

In the first 10 days since the new site opened, over 11,500 camping reservations have been processed, with almost 36,000 nights booked. Reservations can be made in advance on a rolling 90?day window for individual and backcountry camping and 180 days ahead for group and comfort camping. For spur-of-the-moment visits, the system also offers a ‘Camping this Weekend’ feature to easily search for a reservable site.

Plan your summer adventure on the Alberta’s new camping reservation system.

“We know how excited campers are to visit our provincial parks. Whether it be a mountain escape, a quiet lakeside campground near a boat launch, a backcountry campsite, or a relaxing getaway in one of our comfort camping spots—Shop.albertaparks.ca lets Albertans find exactly what they are looking for.”

Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks

Alberta Parks has something for everyone, with over 9,000 reservable individual sites, 205 backcountry permits, 71 comfort units and 157 group camping sites available. There are also 5,000 first-come, first-served sites in Alberta’s parks.

“We are making it easier for Albertans and visitors from around the world to book top-notch camping experiences in the province. The new reservation platform has proven to make it easier for people to find a campsite that fits their needs to ensure that their experience in Alberta’s world-renowned mountains or rolling prairies is one that leaves them with an everlasting desire to explore our province.”

Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport

“RV owners love any chance they get to go visit our beautiful Alberta parks. With the call centre now available seven days a week, 363 days a year, RV owners can more easily get support to find that perfect spot, whether they like to book in advance or while they’re exploring the open road. We’re excited to work with Alberta Parks to continue to grow the robust camping industry in the province.”

Gerry Haracsi, executive vice president, Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association

Quick facts

  • Alberta Parks’ camping reservation fee has been $12 since 2009.
    • This fee helps offset the cost of providing reservation services, including online services, call centre services, merchant fees, Payment Card Industry compliance and staff resources.
  • The call centre will be available for Alberta parks visitors to make bookings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Sunday. If campers prefer not to make an account, the call centre can assist with booking.

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Alberta

Big win for Alberta and Canada: Statement from Premier Smith

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Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:

“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.

“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.

“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.

“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.

“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.

“As it appears the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us (though there is still work to be done), it is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower.”

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Alberta

Energy sector will fuel Alberta economy and Canada’s exports for many years to come

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From the Fraser Institute

By Jock Finlayson

By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.

Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.

In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.

Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.

The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.

Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.

Jock Finlayson

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
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