Alberta
US lawmakers and citizens voice preference for Canada to replace Russian imports via Keystone XL revival
President Biden cancelled major pipeline from Canada on his first day in office
From The Canadian Energy Centre Ltd.
On the heels of President Biden’s ban on the import of all Russian oil and gas products, a new poll shows that 71 per cent of Americans think Biden should reverse his decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, while 64 per cent believe Canadian production should replace Russian oil.
The U.S. bought 640,000 barrels per day on average of oil and petroleum products from Russia between July and December, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The Keystone XL pipeline would have had capacity to ship 830,000 barrels per day from Western Canada to the U.S. refineries, starting in 2023.
Instead of looking to America’s largest trading partner, Canada, to increase oil exports, the White House is turningto regimes like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.
Maintaining a secure and reliable supply of energy products has never been more important.
US leaders continue to challenge the year-old decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project, calling for its reinstatement.
Here’s what they had to say this week:
Senator John Boozman (AR) tweeted:
Pulling the plug on the Keystone XL Pipeline hurt Americans. It cost 1000s of jobs—many in Arkansas—and a cleaner, faster energy supply. Restarting this project & opening up domestic oil & gas deposits will benefit American consumers & our allies abroad.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV) tweeted:
Why are West Virginians paying more at the pump?
– No domestic production on federal lands
– Cancelation of Keystone XL pipeline
– Anti-fossil fuel policies
– Record inflation
– Pipeline buildout prevention
Decisions have consequences, @potus, and it’s time to take responsibility.
Senator Bill Hagerty (TN) tweeted:
Biden should be announcing today that we’re reopening the Keystone XL Pipeline, that we’re going to be drilling on federal lands. We need to become energy independent again now—not driving up prices around the world & fueling Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
Instead of ineffective green energy fanaticism, the Biden Administration needs to come out and clearly state that we’re going to reopen the Keystone XL pipeline, that we’re going to get back in the energy business, and that we’re going to become energy independent again.
Biden’s work with our adversaries for energy has to stop! And we could stop it—re-open the Keystone XL pipeline, DRILL, get back in the energy business, & remove this massive lever that Vladimir Putin has over the American economy. Biden could and should do this TODAY.
Senator Ron Johnson (WI) tweeted:
When President Biden got into office, he canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, ignored the crisis at the southern border, and pushed for out-of-control government spending that sparked inflation rates we haven’t seen in decades. Democrat policies have weakened America.
Senator Rick Scott (FL) tweeted:
Joe Biden’s war on American energy is why gas prices have skyrocketed. Does he care that this hurts working families? Nope.
Biden has been bragging about his failed policies, like killing the Keystone Pipeline. Americans can’t afford this shameful indifference. #BidensPriceHike
RT: @MikeKBerg “Joe Biden on the campaign trail: “I guarantee you, I guarantee you we are going to end fossil fuel.” Now gas prices are at record highs and Biden says his policies aren’t to blame?
Senator Roger Wicker (MS) said:
President Biden’s hostile plans for American energy came into view in 2019 when he told his far-left supporters, “I guarantee you, we are going to end fossil fuel.” Since taking office, he has been working overtime to cut production of U.S. oil, natural gas, and coal. Last year, he ended the Keystone XL pipeline project, halted new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, banned drilling in oil-rich parts of Alaska, and rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, all of which will kill American energy jobs. These decisions have driven up energy costs and made it harder for us to absorb recent price surges stemming from Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) said:
Under President Biden’s leadership, energy imports from Russia increased by 34%. This administration has not only stalled oil and natural gas exports to our allies, but has blocked further energy transportation infrastructure in the U.S., like the Keystone XL Pipeline, while supporting projects abroad, like Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. With investments in our own pipeline infrastructure, American refineries could have easy access to Canadian crude oil instead of Russian oil.
Rep. Troy Balderson (OH) tweeted:
Bad for American energy independence:
❌ Canceling Keystone XL Pipeline
❌ Halting energy leases on federal lands
❌ Greenlighting Russia’s Nord Stream 2
❌ Begging OPEC for oil
❌ Punishing producer w/ new taxes and fees
Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO) tweeted:
My bill, H.R. 7012, restarts the Keystone Pipeline, allows responsible drilling in ANWR, expedites LNG exports, restarts O&G leasing, provides ammo to Ukraine, and actually bans oil and gas imports from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. This is the real solution America needs!
Rep. Kat Cammack (FL) tweeted:
There was no funding for authorizing the restart of the Keystone pipeline, and this administration has not approved a single permit since they took office.
We need to get serious about domestic energy production.
Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA) tweeted:
During my 39 county tour stops, Iowans tell me they want America to be energy independent again. We should build the Keystone XL Pipeline and increase ethanol and biodiesel. It’s time to end our reliance on foreign energy! #IA04
Rep. Mark Green (TN) tweeted:
By blocking our own pipeline but allowing others, Joe Biden has made it clear that both climate change and American jobs are just a political game to him.
Rep. Lisa McClain (MI) tweeted:
One of President Biden’s first actions in office was to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline.
As much as gas prices right now are a result of Putin’s war, they’re also a direct result of Biden’s poor policies.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY) tweeted:
On his first day in office, Joe Biden made his anti-energy agenda clear.
He ended the Keystone XL pipeline and launched his war on American energy independence.
Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY) tweeted:
What should Biden do to increase energy production?
✅ End his freeze on new oil and gas projects
✅ Restart construction of Keystone XL Pipeline
✅ Fast-track pending export permits for liquified natural gas (LNG)
Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR) tweeted:
@POTUS can’t gaslight the American people into believing Putin is the only reason for increased gas prices.
Gas prices started to rise from Biden’s first day in office when he launched his war on American energy.
He made this bed. Now we have to lie in it.
Governor Greg Abbott (TX) tweeted:
New poll: Large majority of Americans unhappy with Biden’s handling of high gas prices.
Ya think?
He caused it when he closed pipelines & canceled oil & gas permits.
If you stop production and transportation of oil, the price of gas goes up.
2025 Federal Election
Next federal government should recognize Alberta’s important role in the federation
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
With the tariff war continuing and the federal election underway, Canadians should understand what the last federal government seemingly did not—a strong Alberta makes for a stronger Canada.
And yet, current federal policies disproportionately and negatively impact the province. The list includes Bill C-69 (which imposes complex, uncertain and onerous review requirements on major energy projects), Bill C-48 (which bans large oil tankers off British Columbia’s northern coast and limits access to Asian markets), an arbitrary cap on oil and gas emissions, numerous other “net-zero” targets, and so on.
Meanwhile, Albertans contribute significantly more to federal revenues and national programs than they receive back in spending on transfers and programs including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) because Alberta has relatively high rates of employment, higher average incomes and a younger population.
For instance, since 1976 Alberta’s employment rate (the number of employed people as a share of the population 15 years of age and over) has averaged 67.4 per cent compared to 59.7 per cent in the rest of Canada, and annual market income (including employment and investment income) has exceeded that in the other provinces by $10,918 (on average).
As a result, Alberta’s total net contribution to federal finances (total federal taxes and payments paid by Albertans minus federal money spent or transferred to Albertans) was $244.6 billion from 2007 to 2022—more than five times as much as the net contribution from British Columbians or Ontarians. That’s a massive outsized contribution given Alberta’s population, which is smaller than B.C. and much smaller than Ontario.
Albertans’ net contribution to the CPP is particularly significant. From 1981 to 2022, Alberta workers contributed 14.4 per cent (on average) of total CPP payments paid to retirees in Canada while retirees in the province received only 10.0 per cent of the payments. Albertans made a cumulative net contribution to the CPP (the difference between total CPP contributions made by Albertans and CPP benefits paid to retirees in Alberta) of $53.6 billion over the period—approximately six times greater than the net contribution of B.C., the only other net contributing province to the CPP. Indeed, only two of the nine provinces that participate in the CPP contribute more in payroll taxes to the program than their residents receive back in benefits.
So what would happen if Alberta withdrew from the CPP?
For starters, the basic CPP contribution rate of 9.9 per cent (typically deducted from our paycheques) for Canadians outside Alberta (excluding Quebec) would have to increase for the program to remain sustainable. For a new standalone plan in Alberta, the rate would likely be lower, with estimates ranging from 5.85 per cent to 8.2 per cent. In other words, based on these estimates, if Alberta withdrew from the CPP, Alberta workers could receive the same retirement benefits but at a lower cost (i.e. lower payroll tax) than other Canadians while the payroll tax would have to increase for the rest of the country while the benefits remained the same.
Finally, despite any claims to the contrary, according to Statistics Canada, Alberta’s demographic advantage, which fuels its outsized contribution to the CPP, will only widen in the years ahead. Alberta will likely maintain relatively high employment rates and continue to welcome workers from across Canada and around the world. And considering Alberta recorded the highest average inflation-adjusted economic growth in Canada since 1981, with Albertans’ inflation-adjusted market income exceeding the average of the other provinces every year since 1971, Albertans will likely continue to pay an outsized portion for the CPP. Of course, the idea for Alberta to withdraw from the CPP and create its own provincial plan isn’t new. In 2001, several notable public figures, including Stephen Harper, wrote the famous Alberta “firewall” letter suggesting the province should take control of its future after being marginalized by the federal government.
The next federal government—whoever that may be—should understand Alberta’s crucial role in the federation. For a stronger Canada, especially during uncertain times, Ottawa should support a strong Alberta including its energy industry.
Alberta
Province announces plans for nine new ‘urgent care centres’ – redirecting 200,000 hospital visits
Expanding urgent care across Alberta
If passed, Budget 2025 includes $17 million in planning funds to support the development of urgent care facilities across the province.
As Alberta’s population grows, so does the demand for health care. In response, the government is making significant investments to ensure every Albertan has access to high-quality care close to home. Currently, more than 35 per cent of emergency department visits are for non-life-threatening conditions that could be treated at urgent care centres. By expanding these centres, Alberta’s government is enhancing the health care system and improving access to timely care.
If passed, Budget 2025 includes $15 million to support plans for eight new urgent care centres and an additional $2 million in planning funds for an integrated primary and urgent care facility in Airdrie. These investments will help redirect up to 200,000 lower-acuity emergency department visits annually, freeing up capacity for life-threatening cases, reducing wait times and improving access to care for Albertans.
“More people are choosing to call Alberta home, which is why we are taking action to build capacity across the health care system. Urgent care centres help bridge the gap between primary care and emergency departments, providing timely care for non-life-threatening conditions.”
“Our team at Infrastructure is fully committed to leading the important task of planning these eight new urgent care facilities across the province. Investments into facilities like these help strengthen our communities by alleviating strains on emergency departments and enhance access to care. I am looking forward to the important work ahead.”
The locations for the eight new urgent care centres were selected based on current and projected increases in demand for lower-acuity care at emergency departments. The new facilities will be in west Edmonton, south Edmonton, Westview (Stony Plain/Spruce Grove), east Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray.
“Too many Albertans, especially those living in rural communities, are travelling significant distances to receive care. Advancing plans for new urgent care centres will build capacity across the health care system.”
“Additional urgent care centres across Alberta will give Albertans more options for accessing the right level of care when it’s needed. This is a necessary and substantial investment that will eventually ease some of the pressures on our emergency departments.”
The remaining $2 million will support planning for One Health Airdrie’s integrated primary and urgent care facility. The operating model, approved last fall, will see One Health Airdrie as the primary care operator, while urgent care services will be publicly funded and operated by a provider selected through a competitive process.
“Our new Airdrie facility, offering integrated primary and urgent care, will provide same-day access to approximately 30,000 primary care patients and increase urgent care capacity by around 200 per cent, benefiting the entire community and surrounding areas. We are very excited.”
Alberta’s government will continue to make smart, strategic investments in health facilities to support the delivery of publicly funded health programs and services to ensure Albertans have access to the care they need, when and where they need it.
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 $2 million in planning funds for One Health Airdrie are part of a total $24-million investment to advance planning on several health capital initiatives across the province through Budget 2025.
- Alberta’s population is growing, and visits to emergency departments are projected to increase by 27 per cent by 2038.
- Last year, Alberta’s government provided $8.4 million for renovations to the existing Airdrie Community Health Centre.
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