Alberta
Premier Smith meets with Prime Minister Trudeau
Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 7 to discuss economic priorities.
Although the meeting was constructive, there are still several concerning issues that need to be resolved if Alberta and the federal government are to reach an agreement on an emissions-reduction plan that will simultaneously secure a reliable and affordable electricity grid, protect Alberta workers and drive economic growth in our energy sector for decades.
The positive news is the federal government has agreed to immediately form a bilateral working group with the Alberta government to work on an aligned framework to incentivize investment in carbon capture, utilization and storage as well as other emissions-reducing technologies.
This group would also work to develop a regulatory framework for the construction and use of small modular reactor technology in our province and to secure credit for carbon reduction through increased LNG exports to international markets. Article 6 in the Paris Accord allows for jurisdictions to receive credit for reducing emissions in other countries.
These are welcome developments.
However, the federal government has yet to formally recognize Alberta’s exclusive jurisdiction to set its own emissions-reduction targets and milestones on the path to a carbon-neutral energy sector and electricity grid by 2050.
They continue to set targets for a 42 per cent reduction in energy sector emissions by 2030 and a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. Both of these targets are unachievable, will drive billions of investment out of Alberta, massively increase electricity costs and result in the loss of tens of thousands of Alberta jobs.
We also understand the federal government is set to release its draft so-called ‘clean electricity’ regulations (CER) for feedback in the coming weeks, and which do not initially include a carve-out for provinces like Alberta, which needs more time to transition to a carbon-neutral power grid due to our reliance on natural gas-fired electricity generation.
It will be critical after this initial feedback period is complete that Ottawa grant Alberta’s requested CER carve-out until the working group has reached an agreement on decarbonizing our power grid that Albertans can afford and support.
Albertans have borne the significant cost of replacing all coal-fired electricity generation with natural gas seven years ahead of schedule, for which ratepayers have already paid billions in compensation and will continue to make these compensation payments through 2030.
Alberta has sovereign and exclusive constitutional jurisdiction to regulate our energy and electricity industries. This is non-negotiable.
We have asked the federal government to come to the table in good faith and to assess the realities of our power grid and the true magnitude of being the fifth-largest producer of oil and gas in the world.
If Ottawa does not recognize and support Alberta’s exclusive right to regulate these sectors of our economy, our province will have no choice but to use alternative policy options to protect our rights independent of federal interference.
Our sincere hope is that the newly formed federal and provincial working group will be able to facilitate an agreement that will align Ottawa’s efforts with the Alberta government’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan.
Failing to reach an agreement on these matters would be an unprecedented missed opportunity that would cost our country tens of billions in economic investment and countless jobs from coast to coast. We look forward to starting the working group as soon as possible.
Alberta
Fortis et Liber: Alberta’s Future in the Canadian Federation
From the C2C Journal
By Barry Cooper, professor of political science, University of Calgary
Canada’s western lands, wrote one prominent academic, became provinces “in the Roman sense” – acquired possessions that, once vanquished, were there to be exploited. Laurentian Canada regarded the hinterlands as existing primarily to serve the interests of the heartland. And the current holders of office in Ottawa often behave as if the Constitution’s federal-provincial distribution of powers is at best advisory, if it needs to be acknowledged at all. Reviewing this history, Barry Cooper places Alberta’s widely criticized Sovereignty Act in the context of the Prairie provinces’ long struggle for due constitutional recognition and the political equality of their citizens. Canada is a federation, notes Cooper. Provinces do have rights. Constitutions do mean something. And when they are no longer working, they can be changed.
Alberta
30 million contraband cigarettes valued at $25 million dollars seized in Alberta
New release from Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)
Record setting contraband tobacco seizures result from AGLC investigations
Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently concluded several investigations which netted two of the largest contraband tobacco seizures in Alberta history. The combined total of the contraband tobacco seized was 154,800 cartons of contraband cigarettes (30.7 million individual cigarettes). These seizures are a result of the work conducted by AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit with the assistance of provincial law enforcement agencies.
- In a January 2024 investigation, approximately 43,500 cartons (8.7 million individual cigarettes) were seized. This equates to $7 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $2.4 million. This included the seizure of 15,000 grams of contraband shisha.
- In April of 2024, 60 wrapped pallets were seized from a warehouse setting netting a total of 111,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes (22 million individual cigarettes) which equates to over $18 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $6.6 million.
- Criminal Charges are pending in both cases.
“These are significant contraband tobacco investigations involving individuals that are part of organized networks whose proceeds defraud Albertans millions of dollars in tax revenue. AGLC will continue to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt the individuals and organizations involved in these illegal activities as part our commitment to a strong contraband tobacco enforcement program in Alberta.”
- Gary Peck, Vice President, Regulatory Services, AGLC
“Contraband tobacco hurts law abiding businesses that follow the rules, and it costs Albertans millions each year from lost tax revenue. Our government is committed to keeping illegal tobacco off the streets and ensuring that the sale of tobacco products comply with the law.”
- Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Over the last nine months, AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement unit has seized an estimated 35 million contraband cigarettes and 115,000 grams of contraband shisha from across the province. The total potential lost tax revenue is estimated to be more than $10.1 million.
Contraband tobacco:
- is any tobacco product that does not comply with federal and provincial laws related to importation, marking, manufacturing, stamping and payment of duties and taxes;
- comes from four main sources: illegal manufacturers, counterfeits, tax-exempt diversions and resale of stolen legal tobacco; and
- can be recognized by the absence of a red (Alberta) or peach/light tan (Canada) stamp bearing the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” on packages of cigarettes and cigars or pouches of tobacco.
In addition to lost revenues that may otherwise benefit Albertans, illegally manufactured products also pose public health and safety risks as they lack regulatory controls and inspections oversight.
Albertans who suspect illegal tobacco production, packaging and/or trafficking are encouraged to contact AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at 1-800-577-2522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, AGLC enforces the Tobacco Tax Act and conducts criminal investigations related to the possession, distribution and trafficking of contraband tobacco products. In 2022-23, provincial revenue from tobacco taxes was approximately $522 million.
-
Energy2 days ago
New Report Reveals Just How Energy Rich America Really Is
-
Automotive2 days ago
Biden’s Climate Agenda Is Running Headfirst Into A Wall Of His Own Making
-
Economy2 days ago
Feds spend $3 million to fly 182 politicians and bureaucrats to climate conference
-
Addictions1 day ago
Liberals shut down motion to disclose pharma payments for Trudeau’s ‘safe supply’ drug program
-
espionage23 hours ago
The Scientists Who Came in From the Cold: Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory Scandal, Part I
-
Energy20 hours ago
Tech giants’ self-made AI energy crisis
-
Frontier Centre for Public Policy17 hours ago
The PM as Leaf’s coach
-
Opinion2 days ago
Ordinary working Canadians are not buying into transgender identity politics