Premier Smith is not a traitor, Canada has failed Alberta
19/01/25 09:20 Filed in: Politics
The federal government and eastern provinces are pressuring Alberta to use its energy exports as a bargaining chip against US tariffs, despite historical unfair treatment. Alberta’s Premier is refusing to participate and rightfully so.
PHOTO BY BRYAN PASSIFIUME /Postmedia
Within the past week, the Liberal government, along with the Premiers of most of the eastern provinces of the country, have collaborated to devise a defense against the impending 25% tariffs imposed by the United States. As part of this defense strategy, the federal government intends to leverage Alberta’s energy, oil, and gas exports as a bargaining chip. Respectfully, Premier Danielle Smith has declined to participate in the Trudeau government’s plan.
Premier Smith is now being vilified as a traitor to the nation for her decision to safeguard Alberta’s export trade agreements with the United States. Certain Premiers, along with the federal government, are currently promoting the slogan “Canada first” to garner support from Canadians and pressure Alberta into relinquishing its energy resources agreement with the United States in favor of the greater good of the country. Such a request would not be unreasonable if Alberta were treated equally regarding its oil production compared to Ontario’s auto industry or Quebec’s dairy and agriculture. However, this notion is fundamentally flawed.
President Trump and his threat of tariffs specifically targeted the softwood lumber, automotive, and dairy industries, but notably excluded oil. This exclusion positions Alberta’s primary export as an ideal bargaining chip, which the federal government and eastern provinces are keen to exploit.
However, historical records reveal that Canada has consistently exhibited an unfair treatment of Alberta. In the 1970s, Pierre Trudeau implemented an export tax to generate revenue and assist central Canada in acquiring foreign oil. Subsequently, in the 1980s, he utilized the national energy program to reduce fuel prices for Ontario and Quebec. Justin Trudeau’s recent actions, including botched pipeline deals and carbon pricing, have had the opposite effect of supporting Alberta. Quebec’s refusal to permit a west-to-east pipeline and the tanker ban off the west coast of Alberta have restricted Alberta’s export opportunities to the United States. Furthermore, the 2024/25 equalization payments exceeded $25.3 billion, disproportionately benefiting provinces east of the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border.
Given these circumstances, when individuals such as Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Doug Ford, or others attempt to portray Premier Daniel Smith as a traitor, it is imperative that the focus shift to internal assistance for Alberta before demanding that they sacrifice their primary exports. Foregoing the equalization payments, lifting the tanker ban, and constructing a pipeline from west to east would serve as more constructive incentives for Alberta.
Premier Smith is not a traitor, Canada has failed Alberta.
Premier Smith is now being vilified as a traitor to the nation for her decision to safeguard Alberta’s export trade agreements with the United States. Certain Premiers, along with the federal government, are currently promoting the slogan “Canada first” to garner support from Canadians and pressure Alberta into relinquishing its energy resources agreement with the United States in favor of the greater good of the country. Such a request would not be unreasonable if Alberta were treated equally regarding its oil production compared to Ontario’s auto industry or Quebec’s dairy and agriculture. However, this notion is fundamentally flawed.
President Trump and his threat of tariffs specifically targeted the softwood lumber, automotive, and dairy industries, but notably excluded oil. This exclusion positions Alberta’s primary export as an ideal bargaining chip, which the federal government and eastern provinces are keen to exploit.
However, historical records reveal that Canada has consistently exhibited an unfair treatment of Alberta. In the 1970s, Pierre Trudeau implemented an export tax to generate revenue and assist central Canada in acquiring foreign oil. Subsequently, in the 1980s, he utilized the national energy program to reduce fuel prices for Ontario and Quebec. Justin Trudeau’s recent actions, including botched pipeline deals and carbon pricing, have had the opposite effect of supporting Alberta. Quebec’s refusal to permit a west-to-east pipeline and the tanker ban off the west coast of Alberta have restricted Alberta’s export opportunities to the United States. Furthermore, the 2024/25 equalization payments exceeded $25.3 billion, disproportionately benefiting provinces east of the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border.
Given these circumstances, when individuals such as Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Doug Ford, or others attempt to portray Premier Daniel Smith as a traitor, it is imperative that the focus shift to internal assistance for Alberta before demanding that they sacrifice their primary exports. Foregoing the equalization payments, lifting the tanker ban, and constructing a pipeline from west to east would serve as more constructive incentives for Alberta.
Premier Smith is not a traitor, Canada has failed Alberta.
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