Alberta
Emissions cap threatens Indigenous communities with higher costs, fewer opportunities
Dale Swampy, founder of the National Coalition of Chiefs. Photograph for Canadian Energy Centre
From the Canadian Energy Centre
National Coalition of Chiefs founder Dale Swampy says Canada needs a more sustainable strategy for reducing emissions
The head of the National Coalition of Chiefs (NCC) says Ottawa’s proposed oil and gas emissions cap couldn’t come at a worse time for Indigenous communities.
Dale Swampy says the cap threatens the combined prospect of higher costs for fuel and groceries, along with fewer economic opportunities like jobs and revenues from involvement in energy projects.
“Any small fluctuation in the economy is affected on our communities tenfold because we rely so much on basic necessities. And those are going to be the products that increase in price significantly because of this,” says Swampy, who founded the NCC in 2016 to fight poverty through partnerships with the natural resource sector.
He says that of particular concern is the price of fuel, which will skyrocket under the emissions cap because it will force reduced Canadian oil and gas production.
Analysis by S&P Global found that meeting the cap’s requirements would require a production cut of over one million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in 2030, and 2.1 million boe/d in 2035.
“Production gets reduced, and the cost of fuel goes up,” Swampy says.
“Our concern is that everything that has to do with both fuel for transportation and fuel to heat our homes is amplified on First Nation communities because we live in rural Canada. We live in isolated communities, and it costs much more for us to operate our daily lives because we have to travel much further than anybody in a metropolitan area. So, it’s going to impact us greatly.”
Indigenous communities are already stretched financially, he says.
“What you could buy in 2019 terms of meat and produce is almost double now, and even though the inflation rate is trending downwards, we still haven’t gotten over the impact of what it costs for a bag of groceries these days,” Swampy says.
“In our communities, more than half are under the age of 21, so there’s a lot of bigger families out there struggling to just get food on the table.”
The frustrating timing of the cap is that it comes amid a rising tide of Indigenous involvement in Canadian oil and gas. Since 2022, more than 75 Indigenous communities in Alberta and B.C. have agreed to become part owners of energy projects.
Three major projects – the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion, Coastal GasLink Pipeline and LNG Canada export terminal – together have spent more than $11 billion with Indigenous and local businesses.
“We’re at a turning point right now. There’s a real drive towards getting us involved in equity opportunities, employment opportunities, and contracting opportunities,” Swampy says.
“Everybody who didn’t talk to us in the past is coming to our front door and saying, ‘Do you want to work with us?’ It couldn’t come at a worse time when we have this opportunity. The emissions cap is going to reduce the amount of activity, and it’s going to reduce the amount of investment,” he says.
“We’re part of that industry now. We’re entrenched in it now, and we have to support it in order to support our people that work in this industry.”
Economic growth, and more time, is needed to fund development of low emissions energy sources without ruining the economy, he says.
“I think we need more consultation. We’d like to see them go back to the table and try to incorporate more of a sustainable strategy for emission reductions,” Swampy says.
“We’re the only country in the world that’s actually incorporating this type of legislation. Do you think the rest of the world is going to do this type of thing? No, they’re going to eat our lunch. They’re going to replace the production that we give up, they’re going to excel in the economy because of it, and they won’t talk about significant emission reduction initiatives.”
From Danielle Smith on X
Over the last 24 hours I had the opportunity to meet President @realdonaldtrump at Mar-a-Lago last night and at his golf club this morning. We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S. – Canadian energy relationship, and specifically, how hundreds of thousands of American jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta.
I was also able to have similar discussions with several key allies of the incoming administration and was encouraged to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada.
On behalf of Albertans, I will continue to engage in constructive dialogue and diplomacy with the incoming administration and elected federal and state officials from both parties, and will do all I can to further Alberta’s and Canada’s interests.
The United States and Canada are both proud and independent nations with one of the most important security alliances on earth and the largest economic partnership in history. We need to preserve our independence while we grow this critical partnership for the benefit of Canadians and Americans for generations to come.
Refocusing acute care leadership for the future
Alberta’s government is bringing in the expertise and experience needed to continue refocusing the health care system for the benefit of all Albertans.
Alberta’s government is committed to refocusing the health care system so that Albertans can access the health care services they need when and where they need them. The work to transform the system is making significant progress, particularly with the recent launch of Primary Care Alberta in November 2024, and the continued advancement in establishing Alberta’s new acute care provincial health agency.
Acute care, which includes hospitals, emergency services and surgery care, is a significant part of the health care system, providing critical care to Albertans when they need it most. Acute Care Alberta, the new acute care provincial health agency, will work to speed up access to high-quality care, reduce wait times and make sure the patient’s journey through the system is efficient and effective across the province.
As progress is made to establish Acute Care Alberta, Alberta’s government is appointing Dr. Chris Eagle as chair and interim president and CEO. This appointment will take effect Feb. 1 to coincide with the establishment of Acute Care Alberta as a legal entity. Dr. Eagle’s focus will be on preparing the organization for its first day of operations later this spring. His appointment to the position is pending finalization of his contract.
Dr. Eagle has significant experience supporting and leading health care organizations and projects across Alberta, including his time as president and CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS) from 2010 to 2013. His extensive experience in the health field will allow him to guide the work to operationalize Acute Care Alberta.
To help support Dr. Eagle’s work and to lead AHS through its transition from a regional health authority to a hospital-based service provider, Andre Tremblay, deputy minister of Alberta Health, has been appointed interim president and CEO of AHS.
“Acute care is the most complex part of the health care system, and it’s critical that we have the right leadership in place to see this work through and make positive changes to the health care system for Albertans now and into the future. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Athana Mentzelopoulos for the work she has done during her time leading Alberta Health Services.”
Tremblay brings a wealth of public service and health care delivery experience to the position. With more than 20 years of public sector leadership, he has served in several senior leadership positions. Prior to joining Health in June 2023, Tremblay has been deputy minister at Education, Agriculture and Forestry, and Transportation. This is also his second leadership role at Alberta Health, having previously served as an associate deputy minister. He was also previously appointed as the deputy clerk of executive council and deputy secretary to cabinet. In his role as interim president and CEO, Tremblay will not receive a salary. His salary as deputy minister will remain the same.
Tremblay will continue as deputy minister through this critical period of transition and change for Alberta’s health care system. He will also oversee the recruitment of a permanent president and CEO for Acute Care Alberta. He is best positioned to continue leading efforts to refocus the health care system while supporting the transition of Alberta Health Services to an acute care service provider.
While in the interim role, Tremblay will work with AHS leadership to oversee operations, support staff transitions to Primary Care Alberta and establish Acute Care Alberta as a legal entity ahead of its operationalization this spring. Throughout this work, Albertans will continue to access acute care services as they always have and there will be no impact to front-line health care workers.
The AHS board of directors will begin the search for a permanent president and CEO immediately, and more details will be provided once the hiring process is complete.
“I am excited to take on this role and support the efforts to refocus Alberta’s health care system and to create an improved acute care system that will make sure Albertans have access to the best health care services they need, no matter where they live in the province.”
“We are at a critical time in the work that is underway to refocus the health care system. I am confident we can continue to make great strides to achieve the goal of making health care better for everyone in Alberta. I want to thank Athana Mentzelopoulos for her hard work, commitment and leadership during her time in the role.”
“We have made great progress refocusing the health care system and I am eager to take on this new role and support the work being done to improve health care across the province. I look forward to leading AHS as it transitions to a service delivery provider and engaging with front-line workers and staff across the system in the coming months.”
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