The Weekly Roundup - February 5, 2024
Alberta and federal politics converge this week as Alberta politicians arrive in Ottawa for a series of meetings and events, including the opening of the latest iteration of the province’s office in the capital. Premier Danielle Smith appears to be looking to bring a positive message with her delegation, that Alberta’s advantage is also Canada’s advantage.
Whether that positivity will permeate into meetings with federal cabinet ministers remains to be seen, as major points of contention include the possibility of Alberta’s withdrawal from the Canada Pension Plan, timelines for a net-zero electricity grid, and most recently, the policy proposal released by Premier Smith last week regarding transgender health policies for youth in the province. All of these proposed actions demonstrate a major chasm between the policies and ideology of the two levels of government. The Premier will be met with an emergency rally for trans youth being held outside of her event being held in Ottawa this evening. That rally follows similar events in Edmonton and Calgary held over the weekend, and concerns raised over the proposed policy from medical organizations.
Below, you’ll find the other top federal and provincial stories of the week.
Top Federal Stories
The 2023 fundraising numbers are out, and the CPC dominated the competition, taking in more than all other parties combined, and double the second place Liberals. To build on the sizable war chest and keep the momentum going into the next general election, New West Public Affairs CEO Monte Solberg has penned a column, outlining a western Conservative’s advice to Pierre Poilievre.
Opposition motions in the House of Commons will bring up a couple interesting topics that could strike a nerve with the electorate this week, with a CPC motion on cancelling the planned April 1, 2024 carbon tax increase and an NDP motion on electoral reform.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has shared that the Liberal government will have legislation ready this spring to address constitutional problems found by the Supreme Court of Canada with the federal Impact Assessment Act, and that the new legislation will aim to streamline the review process further.
Top Provincial Stories
Today marks the official launch to the Alberta NDP’s campaign window, which will wrap with a leader being chosen on June 22. You can read New West’s overview of the leadership race, including potential contenders, here. Kathleen Ganley looks to be the first one making things official, launching her campaign this morning, The proposed transgender health policies outlined by Premier Smith have been universally decried by all potential NDP leadership candidates, and opposing the policy could serve as the push former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi needs to decide to enter the race.
Albertans should be bracing for a severe drought lasting through 2024, with water shortages and allocation shaping up to be a major story that could have wide sweeping impacts on Albertans lives. As of February 1, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz has authorized the province’s drought command team to begin negotiations with major water licence holders on water sharing agreements.
Following the Premier’s time in Ottawa, she will be continuing on to Toronto and Washington D.C. for further meetings, where promoting Alberta’s oil and gas industry, particularly in light of recent limits on LNG exports announced by President Biden, will be a major focus in the U.S. swing of the trip.
Upcoming Events Calendar
February 28, 2024: Alberta Legislature resumes sitting
February 29, 2024: Alberta Budget tabled
June 22, 2024: New Alberta NDP Leader Announced