Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she expects to finalize a carbon pricing agreement with the federal government within days, as a crucial April 1 deadline approaches for completing the province's energy memorandum of understanding with Ottawa.
Speaking on her radio show Saturday, Smith told listeners she anticipates reaching a deal on industrial carbon pricing following her scheduled conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday.
"I'm speaking with the prime minister [Sunday] and hoping for an announcement within a few days," Smith said, describing the negotiations as moving at a positive pace.
Two Key Components Remain
The carbon pricing agreement represents one of two critical elements still outstanding in the Alberta-Canada energy MOU ahead of the April 1 target date. The second unresolved component involves reaching terms on a proposed $16.5-billion carbon capture network development.
Smith characterized the carbon pricing discussions as "the next big step," explaining that both governments are currently negotiating a timeline for increasing the effective carbon price applied to industrial emissions in Alberta.
The premier praised the momentum of recent negotiations between the two levels of government, highlighting recent successes in their energy partnership.
Recent Progress
Last week, Alberta and Ottawa announced a methane equivalency agreement aimed at reducing the province's emissions by 75 per cent below 2014 levels by 2035. This followed another recent agreement that grants Alberta greater authority over major project approvals within provincial boundaries.
These developments come as both governments work to balance environmental objectives with economic considerations in Canada's energy sector, particularly as global energy markets continue to evolve.
The upcoming discussion between Smith and Carney represents a significant moment for Alberta's energy policy framework and its relationship with federal environmental regulations.
This story is based on reporting by Steve Jenkinson, Calgary Herald