That didn’t take long.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is already railing against Canada’s new environment minister as “more of the same” from an “anti-development” federal government.
In a post on Twitter (“X”), Smith described Prime Minister Mark Carney’s appointment of Julie Dabrusin to the critical environment portfolio as divisive and a continuation of more than a decade of anti-Alberta policies.
“Not only is she a self-proclaimed architect of the designation of plastics as toxic, but she is a staunch advocate against oil sands expansion, proponent of phasing out oil and gas, and for the last four years she has served as the right hand to former Environment Minister and militant environmentalist (Steven Guilbeault), she said.
“This is a step in the wrong direction. I will continue to do everything in my power to negotiate a fair deal for Alberta with the new Prime Minister.”
How Carney handles environment issues is seen as a potential deal-breaker that could decide the outcome of a proposed sovereigntist referendum scheduled for 2026.
While Smith has repeatedly said she supports an “independent Alberta within a united Canada,” she also said Carney’s cabinet pick is anything but a unifying force.
“For over a decade, Alberta has suffered under the anti-development and anti-resource policies of successive Liberal governments that have threatened our livelihoods, landlocked our resources, and targeted our industries. Now, we are being forced to contend with yet another ‘keep it in the ground’ Environment Minister,” she said.
“If the Prime Minister is serious about resetting the relationship between Ottawa and Alberta then we need meaningful action now, not more of the same.”
Smith made no mention of the appointment of Tim Hodgson into Energy and Resources. Hodgson takes over from former minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who — although he was a strong supporter of Justin Trudeau’s environmental policies — had a positive rapport with Smith and the UCP government.
Hodgson, on the other hand, has served as a board member on various Calgary energy companies, including oil sands giant MEG Energy, and oversaw the investment board of the Ontario Teachers’ pension plan, which has extensive holdings in companies like Canadian Natural Resources and Suncor.
Hodgson is also a former CEO of Goldman Sachs Canada and chairperson of Ontario’s Hydro One Crown corporation.
But Smith warned Albertans will need to see real change to be convinced Ottawa is sincere about mending fences with Canada’s economic engine.
“I gave the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt. We wanted to see whether he would take decisive and meaningful action to repair the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa or if this was just more hollow rhetoric that Albertans have become accustomed to,” she said.
“Albertans will not stand for the status quo from Ottawa. If the Prime Minister is serious about resetting the relationship between Ottawa and Alberta then we need meaningful action now, not more of the same. I call on the new Environment Minister to support Alberta’s energy industry and work towards increasing production and market access for our resources.”