Giving thanks 

By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. As we shift back to our daily routines, it’s crucial to address some pressing challenges that impact us all.

The federal government’s overreach into provincial jurisdiction continues to threaten Alberta’s economy and Canada’s energy sector. Not only does the federal government refuse to give families a break from their job-killing carbon tax, but they have also doubled down in their efforts to choke our economy through the ill-conceived Impact Assessment Act (Bill C-69).

This legislation, supposedly, designed to “prevent or mitigate significant adverse effects within federal jurisdiction,” gives Ottawa the unilateral authority to prohibit major infrastructure and natural resource projects within our province. This is an unacceptable threat to Alberta’s economy and our way of life.

Our government is committed to fighting this outrageous legislation and protecting Alberta’s constitutional sovereignty over its infrastructure projects and natural resources.

Since the introduction of Bill C-69 in the House of Commons in February 2018, Alberta’s government has used all our means to oppose it. When the bill received royal assent in June 2019, Alberta’s newly elected government immediately voiced our concerns before the federal Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. The legislation disregards provincial jurisdiction, undermining our right to guide Alberta’s development and future.

In September 2019, we brought the matter before the Alberta Court of Appeal. In May 2022, the Court ruled in Alberta’s favor determining that Bill C-69 is unlawful and contradicts provincial autonomy. This marked a significant victory in defending Alberta’s rights.

Fast forward to 2023, the Supreme Court came to the same conclusion, finding most of Bill C-69’s provisions unconstitutional. This ruling reaffirmed the importance of provincial jurisdiction – a fundamental principle that has allowed Canada to succeed and grow as a federation for over 150 years.

Despite these clear court rulings, Ottawa refuses to back down. The federal government is pushing amendments to the Impact Assessment Act that fail to address the core constitutional concerns and continue to interfere with Alberta’s economy.

Our government will not shy away from confrontations with Ottawa on a reckless policy that violates our constitution and makes life unaffordable. The Impact Assessment Act directly threatens Alberta’s energy industry, infrastructure projects, and livelihood. We will fight it.

 As always, please feel free to email (Chestermere.Strathmore@assembly.ab.ca) with your feedback and questions.

(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)