New federal emissions cap raises ire of Alberta's premier

Capping carbon emissions

Photo: Contributed

Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas

When you're in the opposition party, part of your job is to keep an eye on the government.

You start to notice different ways the government tries to handle tricky or unpopular news and policies. A common tactic used by governments is to release unpopular news at times when people are less likely to notice. For example, they might announce something controversial late on a Friday or just before a holiday. That way, the news might get less attention over the weekend or during the holiday period.

Governments often use another common strategy—making two announcements at the same time. They might share good news or something exciting along with unpopular or embarrassing information. That technique is sometimes called "changing the channel." It's used more often than most people realize.

This week, I want to talk about a tactic governments use to announce controversial news. They often do this during big events that grab everyone's attention. For example, the United States presidential election is all over the news worldwide. If a government makes a controversial announcement just before, during, or right after that election, it is less likely to get much attention. That is because most people and news outlets are focused on the U.S. election instead. By doing that, the government can avoid too much scrutiny or criticism of its announcement.

Just before the U.S. election, the federal government made an important announcement. It introduced what many people are calling an "emissions cap" for the Canadian oil and gas industry. The draft regulation, which does not require a vote (in Parliament), would mainly affect Alberta, where most of Canada's oil and gas production happens.

The Liberal government chose to announce this regulation on the Monday before (Tuesday’s) U.S. election. The timing allows it to present its views on the regulation first. It know responses from the oil and gas industry and other interested parties will likely come the next day. However, those responses will probably get less attention because most people will be focused on the U.S. election news instead.

Here's what the new regulation means. The government plans to limit how much carbon the Canadian oil and gas industry can release. It wants these emissions to be 35% lower in 2030 than they were in 2019. The rule will be put in place and enforced through new regulations.

According to the environment minister, “We should all be driving toward the same goal" and "every sector must do its part."

The issue with this Liberal regulation is it doesn't consider the global context. Many other oil-producing countries, like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela, don't have similar rules. Those countries don't have emission caps or carbon taxes like the ones proposed for Canada. This new policy will make Canadian energy more expensive to produce. As a result, people who use Canadian oil will have to pay more for it. Energy from countries without these rules will become cheaper compared to Canadian energy. That will hurt Canada's energy industry.

In response, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already issued a statement claiming this Liberal regulation will result in $28 billion a year in lost GDP (according to Deloitte), and up to 150,000 lost jobs (according to the Conference Board of Canada)."

The Alberta premier has also threatened legal action to fight the regulation.

My question this week:

Do you support Canada implementing and enforcing emission policies that other oil-producing countries do not follow? Why or why not?

I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll-free 1-800-665-8711.

Dan Albas is the Conservative MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.