Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not hold back when asked Wednesday about NDP leader Naheed Nenshi saying she needs talking points other than saying he is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s choice for the province. Over the last two years, Smith said the Alberta government has attempted to get alignment with the Canadian government on its strategy to increase oil and gas production and reduce emissions, but it does not work with it. “So you’ve got a choice when you’re an Opposition leader — you can side with Alberta or you can side with Trudeau,” said Smith at a Wednesday press conference. “He’s chosen to side with Trudeau.” While Nenshi disapproved of Smith’s talking points, she said he had a choice to stand up for Alberta’s energy sector or stand up for the Canadian government’s punitive policies. She added it is the Liberals propped up by the NDP that are attacking Alberta, making it illegal to talk about its emissions record, and passing policies shutting in production and compromising its ability to pay for its programs. At the moment, she said there might be a chance in government at the federal level, which would lead to it having a new partner and a constructive relationship. However, she said Alberta does not have that right now. Smith said on Monday by voting against the Alberta government’s motion to prohibit enforcement of the Canadian government’s oil and gas emissions cap, Nenshi and the NDP “have put the political interests of their friend @JustinTrudeau and boss @theJagmeetSingh ahead of Albertans.”.UPDATED: Smith says Nenshi supporting Trudeau by opposing latest Sovereignty Act motion.Smith called Nenshi and the NDP “Trudeau’s choice of Alberta.”“Our UCP (United Conservative Party) government will never apologize nor give an inch when it comes to protecting the jobs and prosperity of Alberta families from Ottawa’s anti-energy agenda,” she said. .Smith had said she “would love to see the NDP finally stand up for Alberta and be on Team Alberta rather than Team Trudeau because it’s very, very clear this is an attack on our industry.” “It’s very clear from the statements from the federal environment minister and the federal energy minister their objective is to keep our production in the ground,” she said. “And there’s no margin I don’t think in a party that represents Alberta and Alberta interests to steward this resource on behalf of all taxpayers to side with Trudeau on this.” The Alberta government invited the NDP to say it believes in the Canadian Constitution and its obligation to ensure it maintains authority over production and development of oil and gas, but it declined. She said she is confident what it is doing will protect the oil and gas industry and allow it to double production. Smith tabled a motion under the Alberta Sovereignty Act in the Alberta Legislature on Monday to block the proposed emissions cap. If the emissions cap became law, she warned it could lead to job losses and economic shortfalls, prompting the Alberta government to invoke the ASA for a second time. “The way that Ottawa has been treating Alberta over the last number of years is unacceptable,” she said.
