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Alberta

Pot Meet Kettle – Group points out hypocrisy in opposition to Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act

Published

2 years ago

4 minute read

News release from Free Alberta Strategy

Earlier this week, the UCP leadership candidates running to be Premier participated in their final debate before voting gets underway.

Once again, our Free Alberta Strategy and our Alberta Sovereignty Act were featured heavily, but this time something else caught our eye too.

Throughout the campaign, some of the harshest critics of the Alberta Sovereignty Act have been candidates Travis Toews and Rebecca Schulz, who say that it’s “nuts” for Alberta to do anything that might be unconstitutional, and that such actions would create economic “chaos.”

But, as was revealed during the debate, apparently both candidates actually have no problem doing unconstitutional things…

Travis Toews has, right in his campaign platform, a plan to impose tariffs on goods and services from parts of Canada “deemed hostile to Alberta”.

That’s a clearly unconstitutional proposal, that would certainly cause economic “chaos”, and yet Toews seems perfectly fine with that when it’s *his* idea.

Schulz, meanwhile, is proposing to use the “turn off the taps” legislation to punish other Provinces.

Again, this is clearly unconstitutional, and certain to cause economic “chaos”, and yet Schulz is fine with that as long as it’s *her* idea.

Both of these policies would be a direct violation of section 121 of the Constitution, which states:

“All Articles of the Growth, Produce, or Manufacture of any one of the Provinces shall, from and after the Union, be admitted free into each of the other Provinces.”

This means that arbitrarily setting tariffs on goods from hostile regions, whether justified or not, is clearly a contravention of the constitution.

Now, this isn’t to say that neither Toews nor Schulz are wrong to make these suggestions – it’s vital for Alberta to stand up for itself, and these policies may well help us do so!

But isn’t it interesting that they’re in favour of unconstitutional “chaos-creating” ideas, as long as they’re the ones proposing them?

It’s almost as if it’s more about politics than about implementing the best policies to protect Alberta’s interests.

The Sovereignty Act is a tool to be used to keep the federal government in its lane.

It forms just one piece of our detailed, well-thought-through Free Alberta Strategy, which all works together to help promote Alberta’s interests.

It isn’t a solitary line in a campaign platform, or a talking point to be used at a debate.

It’s a full, 48-page, detailed report that proposes a series of initiatives the Alberta government could implement today, without needing any permission from Ottawa, to make Alberta a sovereign jurisdiction within Canada.

If you want to learn more, and help us advance Alberta’s interests, you can do so by:

  1. Reading the full, detailed Free Alberta Strategy here.
  2. Signing, and getting your family and friends to sign, our petition.
  3. Helping us promote and advance the cause by making a donation.

Thanks for your support, as we continue to develop and promote details solutions to the challenges facing Alberta.

Regards,

The Free Alberta Strategy Team

 

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Alberta

Snapshots of Alberta and Canadian trade with the US

Published on February 23, 2025

By

News release from the Alberta UCP

Alberta’s strong relationship with the U.S. is built on energy, trade, and jobs. These numbers highlight just how vital Alberta is to the U.S. economy—and why standing up for our energy sector matters now more than ever.
Alberta’s unmatched energy contributions supply over half of U.S. imported oil through a vast pipeline network—enough to circle the Earth 11 times. This is why protecting Alberta’s energy industry matters for North America’s prosperity.
Alberta’s energy exports fuel U.S. refineries across key states, creating over 25,000 jobs and turning billions of dollars’ worth of Alberta oil into essential products Americans rely on every day.
This snapshot of top U.S. exports to Canada highlights how vital our trade relationship is, with Alberta playing a key role as a major partner and market for American goods.
Energy leads U.S. imports from Canada, with Alberta’s resources powering industries across America and reinforcing our critical economic partnership.
This chart highlights how much Canadians buy from the U.S. compared to what Americans buy from Canada, with Canadians spending over seven times more per person on U.S. goods. Meanwhile, 904,000 American jobs depend on trade with Alberta, making our province a key economic partner.
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Alberta

New children’s book demonstrates how the everyday world is connected to natural resources

Published on February 22, 2025

By

From the Canadian Energy Centre

‘Today’s youth have the opportunity to lead us into the future with innovative solutions for environmental challenges’

After a 24-year career in oil sands land reclamation, author Tanya Richens is sharing her knowledge with young minds.

Her new book, From the Earth to Us: Discovering the Origins of Everyday Things, explores the relationship between natural resources and the things we use in everyday life, from computers and water bottles to batteries and solar panels.

“There is a gap in society’s understanding of where things come from. We are a society driven by consumerism and immediate gratification. We order something online, and it arrives on our doorstep the next day. We don’t stop to think about where it really came from or how it was made,” Richens says.

“There’s an ever-increasing societal position that mining is bad, and oil is even worse… But there’s a simple hypocrisy in those beliefs, since so many things in our lives are made from the raw materials that come from mining and oil and natural gas,” she says.

The book, illustrated by reclamation artist Shannon Carla King, follows young Hennessy Rose and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Riley on a trip to a children’s summer camp.

Hennessy’s mom is a guest speaker on the origin of everyday items and the relationship between humans and the earth. Through detailed explanations of items surrounding her, Hennessy’s mom teaches the kids how rocks, minerals, oil and gas from the earth are used to power and aid our lives, creating items such as building supplies, food and hair products, camping and sports equipment, and cell phones.

Author Tanya Richens poses with her two books for children about natural resources. Photo for Canadian Energy Centre

“I thought a simple and fun book explaining the raw materials needed to make everyday items would be valuable for all ages,” Richens says.

“When people feel personally connected to natural resources, they are more likely to promote sustainable practices. Today’s youth will have the opportunity to lead us into the future with innovative solutions for environmental challenges.”

Richens‘ career began with Alberta Environment, where she was a coordinator of reclamation approvals in the oil sands. She oversaw technical reviews of oil sands reclamation applications, communicated with statement of concern filers, coordinated public hearings and provided support for legislative changes.

She moved from government to Suncor Energy, ensuring the company’s compliance on reclamation projects and led initiatives to obtain reclamation certificates. She now works as an independent consultant.

Drawing on her wealth of experience in the field, Richens’ first book, Adventures in Land Reclamation: Exploring Jobs for a Greener Future, seeks to excite kids aged 9-12 years about jobs related to the environment and land reclamation.

Hoping to get From the Earth to Us into the hands of teachers, Richens is heading to the Edmonton Teachers Convention in late February. She says the book supports multiple learning outcomes in Alberta’s new science curriculum for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6.

“Ultimately, I’d like people to understand and acknowledge their individual part in the need for mining and oil and natural gas development. Until the naivety and hypocrisy in the world is addressed, I’m not sure that real environmental change is possible.”

Richens’ books can be purchased on her website at tcrenvironmental.com.

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