Smith says Albertans are ‘finally being heard’ after talks with prime minister

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is praising the list of fast-tracked projects put out by the federal Liberals, despite a lack of oil pipelines on the list.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she has found more common ground with Mark Carney than with any other meeting she’s had with the prime minister.

“I think he really understands the issues that we put on the table, and we’re working through how to address them,” Smith told reporters at a press conference in Edmonton Thursday.

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Carney named the first five projects under Ottawa’s fast-tracked approval process which include a liquefied natural gas (LNG) expansion project and mining expansion in B.C., a copper mine in Saskatchewan, the Contrecœur Terminal Container Project in Quebec, and the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario.

While the first five projects don’t include Alberta, Smith said she feels a shift in government from the Trudeau era.

“They finally get it,” said Smith. “I’ve seen that the prime minister has talked about supporting both conventional and new energy … and I would just ask people to be patient.”

The premier said the Major Projects Office (MPO), based in Calgary, is a good sign that the province will see some approvals.

The MPO was established under Bill C-5, also known as the Building Canada Act, giving government new sweeping powers to approve major projects of national interest. The office is led by former Trans Mountain CEO and board chair Dawn Farrell.

“I think people should be encouraged that they’ve got the right person who’s assessing those projects and that they’re off in a good direction,” she said.

At a separate press conference in Edmonton, Carney said more projects will be given the green-light in the coming months.

“I’m highly confident there will be some new projects that will come in when we’re in Winnipeg, or just before going to Winnipeg for the Grey Cup,” said Carney.

He said the Pathways Carbon Capture Project is being eyed for a future phase, but there are no current private proposals for a pipeline.

Shortly after the federal election, Smith made a wish list calling on Ottawa to scrap the greenhouse gas emissions cap and a rewrite of Bill C-69, also known as the Impact Assessment Act, or as the UCP government has referred to as the “no more pipelines act.”

‘It’s a delicate balance’

One political analyst said Smith is wise to work collaboratively with Ottawa.

“That will be the key to getting some of the things she’s demanding accomplished,” said Lori Williams, a political science professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Williams said it will be a “delicate balance” between the province’s interests and those dissatisfied with the federal government.

“Somehow or another, Smith needs to satisfy people who disagree about what they want and find some kind of common ground, some kind of compromise that will enable her to continue in government,” said Williams. “The reality is that’s just going to be a challenge for her.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg