Fraught provincial-federal relationship onstage at Alberta Climate Summit
Premier Danielle Smith took her federal fight to the 2023 Alberta Climate Summit on Thursday.
The conference is touted as a way to examine responsible energy transitions, but the focus of its first day was a fraught provincial-federal relationship.
Smith and the federal energy minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, both took part in separate "fireside chats" during the afternoon session.
Much of the conversation revolved around how -- and how soon -- Alberta can achieve a net-zero electricity grid.
Ottawa is aiming for 2035.
"I think 2050 is realistic," Smith said during her sit-down.
"You have to be in sync with what is practical. Politicians want to accelerate decision-making so that they can stand at podiums and have election wins, whether or not it's practical or realistic."
Wilkinson has repeatedly said he believes the province can get its electricity grid to net zero by the target date, despite the premier's insistence to the contrary.
After his chat, the minister told reporters he's had several successful conversations with Maritime provinces facing similar economic challenges.
"You can either take the position that's never going to work and we're not going to engage, or you can say, 'OK, we want to engage the conversation," Wilkinson said.
"We agree on the objective, let's figure out the flexibilities that will work in this context."
Smith disagreed, at one point even calling the target "impossible."
In front of a crowd of clean energy and environment experts, that message didn't resonate -- the premier faced heckling.
"I am not going to rely on fantasy thinking," Smith said to one guest in the second row.
"My job is to have a reliable energy grid."
Smith was also challenged on her government's decision to halt the construction of wind and solar energy projects in the province.
The government is still running taxpayer-funded advertisements in other provinces -- notably Ontario -- suggesting 2035 goals could lead to sky-high prices and even power shortages.
Wilkinson says there's flexibility that can be worked out face-to-face.
The federal government released a draft of its clean electricity regulations in August, in which it says "deploying clean and non-emitting electricity would make energy consumption even more affordable for Canadians over the longer-term."
Meetings are ongoing between the two sides.
With files by Kevin Green
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Celine Dion stages comeback with performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn $146,000 for water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Paris Olympics kicks off with ambitious but rainy opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.