Premier Danielle Smith and Premier Scott Moe joined forces in Lloydminster to demand sweeping changes to federal policies they say are hurting their provinces economies.The two premiers held a press conference and issued a joint statement calling for major reforms. "Today, Alberta's and Saskatchewan's governments came together in Lloydminster to make a unified call for national change,” said the premiers.They want Ottawa to stop interfering with provincial resource development.Smith and Moe are demanding the federal government repeal or overhaul the Impact Assessment Act. They argue it creates barriers to important resource projects and transportation infrastructure. "The federal government must remove the barriers it created and fix the federal project approval processes so that private sector proponents have the confidence to invest,” said the premiers..The premiers also want the proposed oil and gas emissions cap eliminated completely.The Clean Electricity Regulations should be scrapped, according to the statement. The premiers also called for lifting the oil tanker ban off the northern west coast and abandoning the net zero vehicle mandate."The federal government must remove the barriers it created and fix the federal project approval processes," said the premiers. They want private companies to feel confident about investing in Canada again."Starting with additional oil and gas pipeline access to tidewater on the west coast, our provinces must also see guaranteed corridor and port-to-port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic coasts,” said the premiers.“This is critical for the international export of oil, gas, critical minerals, agricultural, and forestry products, and other resources. Accessing world prices for our resources will benefit all Canadians, including our First Nations partners.”.Canada faces trade challenges on multiple fronts. "Canada is facing a trade war on two fronts,” said the premiers.“The People's Republic of China's "anti-discrimination" tariffs imposed on Canadian agri-food products have significant impacts on the West. We continue to call on the federal government to prioritize work toward the removal of Chinese tariffs.”“Recently announced tariff increases, on top of pre-existing tariffs, by the United States on Canadian steel and aluminum products are deeply concerning,” said the premiers.“We urge the Prime Minister to continue his work with the US administration to seek the removal of all tariffs currently being imposed by the US on Canada.”.Smith and Moe argued the federal government must change course to meet its stated goals. Ottawa has said it wants Canada to become a global energy superpower with the strongest G7 economy."We need to have a federal government that works with, rather than against, the economic interests of Alberta and Saskatchewan," said the premiers.The premiers said making these policy changes would show the Prime Minister's commitment to working with Western provinces. They promised to keep fighting for their provinces potential and their residents benefit.
