Alberta
Premier Smith meets with Prime Minister Trudeau
Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 7 to discuss economic priorities.
Although the meeting was constructive, there are still several concerning issues that need to be resolved if Alberta and the federal government are to reach an agreement on an emissions-reduction plan that will simultaneously secure a reliable and affordable electricity grid, protect Alberta workers and drive economic growth in our energy sector for decades.
The positive news is the federal government has agreed to immediately form a bilateral working group with the Alberta government to work on an aligned framework to incentivize investment in carbon capture, utilization and storage as well as other emissions-reducing technologies.
This group would also work to develop a regulatory framework for the construction and use of small modular reactor technology in our province and to secure credit for carbon reduction through increased LNG exports to international markets. Article 6 in the Paris Accord allows for jurisdictions to receive credit for reducing emissions in other countries.
These are welcome developments.
However, the federal government has yet to formally recognize Alberta’s exclusive jurisdiction to set its own emissions-reduction targets and milestones on the path to a carbon-neutral energy sector and electricity grid by 2050.
They continue to set targets for a 42 per cent reduction in energy sector emissions by 2030 and a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. Both of these targets are unachievable, will drive billions of investment out of Alberta, massively increase electricity costs and result in the loss of tens of thousands of Alberta jobs.
We also understand the federal government is set to release its draft so-called ‘clean electricity’ regulations (CER) for feedback in the coming weeks, and which do not initially include a carve-out for provinces like Alberta, which needs more time to transition to a carbon-neutral power grid due to our reliance on natural gas-fired electricity generation.
It will be critical after this initial feedback period is complete that Ottawa grant Alberta’s requested CER carve-out until the working group has reached an agreement on decarbonizing our power grid that Albertans can afford and support.
Albertans have borne the significant cost of replacing all coal-fired electricity generation with natural gas seven years ahead of schedule, for which ratepayers have already paid billions in compensation and will continue to make these compensation payments through 2030.
Alberta has sovereign and exclusive constitutional jurisdiction to regulate our energy and electricity industries. This is non-negotiable.
We have asked the federal government to come to the table in good faith and to assess the realities of our power grid and the true magnitude of being the fifth-largest producer of oil and gas in the world.
If Ottawa does not recognize and support Alberta’s exclusive right to regulate these sectors of our economy, our province will have no choice but to use alternative policy options to protect our rights independent of federal interference.
Our sincere hope is that the newly formed federal and provincial working group will be able to facilitate an agreement that will align Ottawa’s efforts with the Alberta government’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan.
Failing to reach an agreement on these matters would be an unprecedented missed opportunity that would cost our country tens of billions in economic investment and countless jobs from coast to coast. We look forward to starting the working group as soon as possible.
The new Red Deer Justice Centre will help Albertans resolve their legal matters faster.
Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. Modernizing Alberta’s courthouse infrastructure will help make sure Alberta’s justice system runs efficiently and meets the needs of the province’s growing population.
Alberta’s government has invested $191 million to build the new Red Deer Justice Centre, increasing the number of courtrooms from eight to 12, allowing more cases to be heard at one time.
“Modern, accessible courthouses and streamlined services not only strengthen our justice
system – they build safer, stronger communities across the province. Investing in the new Red Deer Justice Centre is vital to helping our justice system operate more efficiently, and will give people in Red Deer and across central Alberta better access to justice.”
Government of Alberta and Judiciary representatives with special guests at the Red Deer Justice Centre plaque unveiling event April 22, 2025.
On March 3, all court services in Red Deer began operating out of the new justice centre. The new justice centre has 12 courtrooms fully built and equipped with video-conference equipment to allow witnesses to attend remotely if they cannot travel, and vulnerable witnesses to testify from outside the courtroom.
The new justice centre also has spaces for people taking alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with the three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a specific suite for other dispute resolution services, such as family mediation and civil mediation, and a new Indigenous courtroom with dedicated venting for smudging purposes.
“We are very excited about this new courthouse for central Alberta. Investing in the places where people seek justice shows respect for the rights of all Albertans. The Red Deer Justice Centre fills a significant infrastructure need for this rapidly growing part of the province. It is also an important symbol of the rule of law, meaning that none of us are above the law, and there is an independent judiciary to decide disputes. This is essential for a healthy functioning democracy.”
“Public safety and access to justice go hand in hand. With this investment in the new Red Deer Justice Centre, Alberta’s government is ensuring that communities are safer, legal matters are resolved more efficiently and all Albertans get the support they need.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will serve the people of Red Deer and surrounding communities for generations. Our team at Infrastructure is incredibly proud of the work done to plan, design and build this project. I want to thank everyone, at all levels, who helped make this project a reality.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- The new Red Deer Justice Centre is 312,000 sq ft (29,000 m2). (The old courthouse is 98,780 sq ft (9,177 m2)).
- The approved project funding for the Red Deer Justice Centre is about $191 million.
Show your Alberta side. Buy Local. |
When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.
Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.
The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.
“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”
Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.
Quick facts
- This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
- In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
- Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
- Made in Alberta product catalogue website
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