EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has squashed the idea of her supporting Prime Minister Mark Carney using Alberta's oil when negotiating with the U.S., claiming that cutting off energy exports would be harmful and is not a viable option. "As I’ve said in the past, cutting off Alberta energy exports to the U.S. would be extremely harmful to Canadians and is not a viable option," reads a statement from Smith issued on Monday. .The statement comes following a phone call with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who earlier in the day pitched the idea of Canada cutting the oil flowing from Alberta to the U.S. in response to recent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. “I can’t do this alone,” said Ford on Monday. “I need every premier playing on Team Canada.” Smith said she recognizes the impact that Trump's tariffs will have on Ontario's economy, and she is willing to “constructively work together to strengthen the Canadian economy." Smith said immediate actions must focus on supporting affected workers and businesses, breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, pursuing diplomacy, and continuing to expand market access. "Canadians have every reason to be upset with the breakdown in the trade negotiations with the United States," Smith said. "The U.S. tariffs are harmful to both countries and are straining one of the most successful trading relationships on earth.""Canada now faces significant job losses, and Alberta will do our part to help Canadian businesses, workers, and families during these uncertain times." Additionally, Smith said her government is committed to accelerating the construction of Alberta's recently proposed West Coast pipeline and supporting Ford's push for the Northern Shield pipeline. .Smith has consistently opposed Alberta's oil being used in Canada's trade war with the U.S., and in July she said she would fight to prevent Ottawa from making a "very dumb decision." Carney said in July that he was not considering using energy as a bargaining chip in negotiations."One of the things that you see in the world, we have many exports and commodities, one of the biggest commodities, arguably the best, is trust," said Carney. "People trust us. And so when you're a supplier of a key commodity, key service, you got to think really hard about not supplying."
