{"id":936484,"date":"2026-10-17T13:56:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T13:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/936484\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T13:56:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T13:56:30","slug":"from-killing-the-golden-goose-to-better-than-ever-has-albertas-relationship-with-ottawa-changed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/936484\/","title":{"rendered":"From \u2018killing the golden goose\u2019 to better than ever: Has Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa changed?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The relationship between Alberta and the federal government has faced its share of political and economic conflict\u00a0over the years<\/a>. Some Albertans would argue more than its fair share.<\/p>\n

From the drawing of the province\u2019s boundaries to natural resource control to the creation of the National Energy Program<\/a> to pipeline cancellations and political representation, generations of Albertans have expressed feelings of alienation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last year, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith added to the litany of rebukes of Ottawa from Alberta leaders over the years. (Her predecessor, Jason Kenney, once said<\/a> the federal government was “killing the golden goose”.)<\/p>\n

After launching a panel tour to hear citizens’ frustrations, Smith said, \u201cYou know what Ottawa can’t help but be fixated on? … Punishing our energy sector and layering on policies to keep it in the ground.”<\/p>\n

She made those remarks nearly two months after the Liberals won a fourth-consecutive election under new leader Mark Carney.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Members of the Alberta Next panel gathered for a public town hall meeting in Red Deer at the Westerner Park grounds on July 25, 2025. (Jason Markusoff\/CBC)<\/p>\n

Fast forward to this fall, with Albertans poised to go to the polls in a referendum that could ultimately lead to a separation vote, and Smith is expressing a very different view.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do think Canada is working better than it ever has,\u201d Smith told CBC News<\/a>, noting she will be voting for the province to stay put.<\/p>\n

The remarks follow months<\/a> of Smith saying that, in her view, working out the differences between Alberta and Ottawa would be the key to quelling separatist sentiment, a blueprint she said is shared by Carney.<\/p>\n

WATCH | Premier says Alberta and Canada ‘walking together’ for first time in a long time:\"\"<\/p>\n

Premier says Alberta and Canada ‘walking together’ for first time in a long time<\/p>\n

At a campaign stop with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she and Carney can agree on voting to remain in Canada in the upcoming referendum, but ‘there is still more to come’ and she is going to vote yes to the nine other questions on the ballot. ‘I have bad news for you, prime minister – all of the premiers are interested in talking about immigration reform,’ Smith said.<\/p>\n

So what changed in the relationship between the province and Ottawa? Is Alberta really in a better place than a year ago? And if so, for how long?<\/p>\n

For her part, Smith said that Alberta has \u201cfinally\u201d found a government willing to move swiftly on major projects, such as the Pacific Link pipeline<\/a>, while not \u201cstanding in the way\u201d of Alberta developing its resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Carney, the premier said, is a \u201cdifferent type of leader.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he understands the Constitution. I think he respects the constitutional division of powers,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s areas that are federal jurisdiction, and areas of provincial jurisdiction.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why, the premier argued, Albertans should vote to remain in Canada, with a newfound belief that federation can function fairly.<\/p>\n

But those who say the province needs to go its own way to realize its true potential see Carney\u2019s promises as mere window dressing after years of policy that stymied economic growth and personal freedoms.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson argued in favour of Alberta independence at a debate in Calgary held in late May. (New West Video)<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just saying, ‘Hey, we\u2019re getting along.’ Well, what if they stop getting along?\u201d said Keith Wilson, one of the most prominent leaders in the Alberta separatist movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not satisfied to have the future of my children\u2019s success and prosperity hinge upon whether the prime minister and a premier have a good personal relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

No to the nine (‘bad laws’)<\/p>\n

In addition to the proposed Pacific Link pipeline and other federal investments, Smith has praised federal movement around what she calls the \u201cnine bad laws\u201d that she demanded<\/a> be addressed in order to avoid an \u201cunprecedented national unity crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

As detailed by Smith in March 2025, they were, in brief:<\/p>\n

the oil and gas emissions cap<\/a>;returning oversight of the industrial carbon tax<\/a> to the provinces;the net-zero power regulations<\/a>;the EV mandate<\/a>;repealing Bill C-69<\/a>, otherwise known as the Impact Assessment Act;guaranteeing Alberta \u201cfull access\u201d to oil and gas corridors;lifting the B.C. tanker ban<\/a>;ending the prohibition on single-use plastics;<\/a> and\u201chalting the federal censorship\u201d<\/a> of energy companies.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson in the premiers\u2019 office said it considers seven of the nine \u201cscrapped or reformed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInvestment is soaring and major projects are moving forward again. This is proof of progress and a more collaborative relationship,\u201d Ryan Fournier wrote in an email.<\/p>\n

WATCH | Ottawa and Alberta engaged in ‘tough collaboration,’ says Carney:\"\"<\/p>\n

Ottawa and Alberta engaged in ‘tough collaboration,’ says Carney<\/p>\n

At a campaign stop in Red Deer, Alberta with Premier Danielle Smith, Prime Minister Mark Carney said when the federal and provincial governments are ‘open and honest with each other’ about challenges, they can ‘find solutions.’ The two leaders urged Albertans to vote ‘no’ to a referendum on separation.<\/p>\n

The federal government revised those policies amid criticism from some that the moves would claw back environmental protections<\/a> and concern from others surrounding Indigenous consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wilson isn\u2019t satisfied with progress to date, citing, among other developments, a recent Alberta Court of Appeal ruling<\/a> that stated the federal government\u2019s Impact Assessment Act is still unconstitutional.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but this is just \u2026 political platitudes, absent substantive action. If the prime minister was serious about these things, he would offer to change equalization,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe would announce that he\u2019s going to follow the court decision, and repeal Bill C-69 [the Impact Assessment Act]. Surely, people aren\u2019t this gullible. But maybe they are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Alberta Court of Appeal in Calgary is seen in this file photo. Earlier this month, it ruled the federal government’s Impact Assessment Act is still unconstitutional. (Google Maps)<\/p>\n

Heather Exner-Pirot, director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, said that Canada had a \u201cterrible reputation\u201d for investment due to policies implemented under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe corrections to the \u2018nine bad laws\u2019 \u2026 those are all meaningful, in that they have attracted investment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can always say that things aren\u2019t perfect, or there\u2019s things we can still do to improve competitiveness, but I don\u2019t think anyone would have anticipated two years ago that we could be where we are here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, the federal and Alberta governments announced<\/a> that the proposed Pacific Link pipeline, which would carry one million barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the B.C. coast, had become the first project designated in the national interest. That classification means that federal approvals and regulatory reviews will be fast-tracked.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prominent separatists, meanwhile, have argued<\/a> that the Pacific Link pipeline is not a point in Carney\u2019s favour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WATCH | How much money could the new Pacific Link pipeline cost Canadian taxpayers?:\"\"<\/p>\n

How much money could the new Pacific Link Pipeline cost Canadian taxpayers?<\/p>\n

Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Energy Minister Tim Hodgson about the significance of the Pacific Link Pipeline\u2019s national interest designation and how much of the $35-billion-plus estimated price tag Canadian taxpayers could be on the hook for. Then, Alberta Finance Minister Jason Nixon talks through what the pipeline means for provincial unity, ahead of a referendum on separation. Finally, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip from the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs shares his concerns with the pipeline\u2019s condensed environmental review and Indigenous consultation processes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a nationalized pipeline. Is that really the only way to get something done in Canada, is to have the government do it?\u201d said Cory Morgan, who heads the third-party advertiser Pathway to Independence, in a recent video<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s not a good sign, guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exner-Pirot said government de-risking is necessary for West Coast pipelines given challenges tied to past projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After Kinder Morgan halted construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline, the federal government under Trudeau took over, buying the troubled project<\/a> for $4.5 billion in 2018. The project cost eventually spiralled<\/a> to $34 billion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe particular circumstances of a west coastal pipeline are terrible,\u201d Exner-Pirot said. \u201cI think, [it is] justified for government to de-risk it, and to show that it can be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Heather Exner-Pirot, director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, says changes to laws and regulations under Prime Minister Mark Carney have made Canada more competitive and attractive for investment. (Paula Duhatschek\/CBC)<\/p>\n

However, Exner-Pirot said many other energy projects, including other pipelines, are moving forward successfully without government subsidies \u2014 like LNG Canada’s Phase 2 expansion<\/a> in Kitimat, B.C.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the idea that we\u2019re not building anything else except for this one project with government funding or backing is simply not true.\u201d <\/p>\n

Fault lines<\/p>\n

In the eyes of the Alberta government, the \u201cnine bad laws\u201d may be well on their way to a resolution under Canada\u2019s new prime minister. <\/p>\n

But Carney\u2019s comments tied to the \u201cNo to the Nine\u201d campaign drew prompt opposition from the provincial government on Thursday.<\/p>\n

“No to the Nine” is a prominent federalist advertising campaign that urges Albertans to reject the nine referendum ballot questions not concerned with separation. Five of those questions deal with immigration, while four are aimed at constitutional reforms, like abolishing the Senate.<\/p>\n

At a Thursday event, Carney suggested Albertans<\/a> should vote \u201cNo to the Nine.” The premier then posted on X<\/a> that despite the two finding common ground on many issues, it appeared Carney \u201chad yet to fully understand just how damaging the open-border policies\u201d of his predecessor were.<\/p>\n

Ian Brodie, a political scientist at the University of Calgary who was chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper, called Carney\u2019s comments a \u201cmiss.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe winning federalist campaign here is to acknowledge that Alberta has had a short shrift from Confederation over the last few years, and that changes are needed if the province is going to get a fair deal,\u201d Brodie said on CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Friday at a brewery in Red Deer, Alta. (CBC)<\/p>\n

For his part, Carney said Thursday that he didn\u2019t \u201cneed a referendum\u201d to co-operate more with the provinces on immigration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe province is closer to the needs of the industries here, where the shortages are,\u201d Carney told Global News<\/a>, adding the federal government had already taken \u201ccontrol\u201d on changes to immigration.<\/p>\n

Despite the potential awkwardness, Carney made a campaign stop<\/a> with Smith at a brewery in Red Deer on Friday, where he made a point of characterizing the relationship between the two as involving \u201ctough collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our time working together, the premier has consistently put the most difficult issues on the table, with the intention of finding a common way forward,\u201d Carney said.<\/p>\n

The conversations to come<\/p>\n

\u201cOttawa may be 2,000 miles away, but destructive federal policy travels on winged feet and strikes like the wrath of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how Monte Solberg, an Alberta MP from 1993 to 2008 for the Reform Party, Canadian Alliance and Conservative Party of Alberta, characterized the relationship between the West and Ottawa in a 2018 column<\/a> on alienation written for CBC News.<\/p>\n

Today, he\u2019s pushing for the federalist side in the referendum, as part of the Vote to Stay campaign. In his view, now is not the time to separate, as Canada is locked in negotiations with the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean that, over time, there shouldn\u2019t be a discussion about how we address some of the unfairness in Confederation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

As to whether the prime minister is the person who will have that conversation?<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think it\u2019ll be a priority for the premier [of Alberta], and for some other premiers. They\u2019ll have their chance to make their case that this needs to be addressed,\u201d Solberg said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there is a potential to do so with this prime minister that there wasn\u2019t with, certainly, Justin Trudeau.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Voters at a downtown Edmonton polling station are pictured on Oct. 13. (Jack Farrell\/The Canadian Press)<\/p>\n

For Wilson, who believes in an independent Alberta, none of what\u2019s been offered up can be seen as a win.<\/p>\n

In his view, there\u2019s been no offer whatsoever to address what he sees<\/a> as the \u201cstructural unfairness\u201d of how Alberta is treated within Confederation.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of what [Smith] is doing is addressing those core issues. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s happened to her. I just don\u2019t,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Some separatists have argued that Albertans should consider Option 2 \u2014 to commence the process to hold a future binding referendum on whether Alberta should leave Canada \u2014 so as to preserve leverage in negotiations with Ottawa.<\/p>\n

Others say they\u2019re opposed to both options on the ballot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Canada needs \u2014 is a middle-ground path into the future \u2014 a set of constitutional reforms that restore the legal primacy of provincial governments for policies in health, education and social services,\u201d wrote Ted Morton<\/a>, an Ed Stelmach-era cabinet minister and one of the authors of the well-known “Alberta firewall” letter, which advocated for Alberta to exit the Canada Pension Plan, among other ideas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Competing referendum signs line a boulevard in Calgary on Oct. 15. (Jeff McIntosh\/The Canadian Press)<\/p>\n

Polling has suggested<\/a> that Carney is the most popular politician in Alberta, ahead of Smith and federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre.<\/p>\n

Duane Bratt, a political science professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University who has argued<\/a> for the federalist side at events during the referendum campaign, said it is inevitable, as political gravity kicks in, that the prime minister won\u2019t be able to hang onto that level of support forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere \u2019s always frictions between the federal and provincial governments,\u201d Bratt said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is: are we going to see that same friction that we saw in the Trudeau era?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The relationship between Alberta and the federal government has faced its share of political and economic conflict\u00a0over the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":936485,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194295],"tags":[49,48,20739],"class_list":["post-936484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ottawa","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-ottawa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=936484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936484\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/936485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=936484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=936484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=936484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}