Premier says Sask. ‘welcomes’ new carbon price deal

Saskatchewan’s Premier is offering his thoughts on the deal signed Friday between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

Carney and Smith inked a carbon price deal on May 15 in Calgary, sharing also that a fall 2027 date is anticipated for construction of a new pipeline to transport bitumen to the West Coast.

The announcement comes as part of the plan to make good on the landmark energy deal signed in the fall between the two leaders.

Read more:

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• Enbridge gets federal approval for $4B natural gas pipeline expansion in B.C.
• Alberta oil pipeline is ‘more likely than not’ Carney says

In an emailed statement on Friday, Premier Scott Moe said the announcement is welcomed by Saskatchewan.

“This is an important step towards realizing the full potential of Canada’s energy sector by strengthening our infrastructure to expand to global markets,” Moe said in his statement.

He said Saskatchewan is continuing to advocate for economic growth, energy security and the development of resources. He noted that Canada’s energy sector “is a key driver of jobs, investment, and revenue that benefits all Canadians.”

“Today’s announcement is a recognition that Canada must be able to develop and move its natural resources to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy,” Moe said in his reaction.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the provinces and the federal government to support policies and projects that keep Canada competitive.”

Business expert sees growing trust between western provinces and Ottawa

Speaking on The Evan Bray Show on Friday, Saskatchewan business expert, Paul Martin, said the word “trust” is an important one with regards to this announcement.

Martin said the deal “telegraphed pretty well,” so some aspects of the deal were not a surprise.

“I think the theme here that came from the Prime Minister, principally, was the word ‘trust,’ and I think most of us would construe that use of the word as generating the trust of the investment community that Canada has been (a) very difficult place to get major projects done,” Martin explained. “Goal posts move, processes are convoluted and often duplicated, and but I think that sells it just too narrowly.”

He suggested a political aspect of trust within Canada has been noticable, in a shift where Ottawa has begun to notice the “treasure trove of potential” in western Canada.

“If, indeed, Canada does want to take a larger economic role on the global stage, you have to tap into the resources that we have,” Martins said, “and so there’s also this notion of … central Canada has to win the trust of the west again.”

Martin said that has global implications when it comes to investors, buyers and customers that believe Canada can deliver, but also domestically within Canada, that the western provinces can trust Ottawa to treat the prairies fairly. Referencing Albertan sentiments of separation making news, Martin said the trust western Canada did not see under Justin Trudeau’s leadership has fostered these conversations.

“We just had enough, I think, is what they were saying,” Martin said. “And today, you see the Prime Minister doing both an economic announcement, but also a political one.”

When asked by Bray whether Friday’s announcement helps cool that separation talk in Alberta, Martin said it helps to “clear the decks.”

“You see everything from carbon capture in this – which was really pooh-poohed by, you know, the previous … government – now is kind of front and center, and Saskatchewan plays a role in that petroleum technology research center here, and we’ve had the biggest carbon capture project going on for years and years and years,” Martin shared.

“We’ve kind of proved this thing up, and so you know this isn’t just an Alberta thing, I think this is a Canada having a look at itself.

“The Prime Minister says, ‘I’ve got to marshal my assets, and I got an awful lot of assets in western Canada that have not been given a fair shake.'”

FSIN calling for respect for First Nations rights

In response to Friday’s announcement, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) wants to see First Nations rights in Saskatchewan “fully informed of the Government of Canada’s efforts to accelerate approvals for major projects.”

The body is calling on both the federal and provincial governments to ensure those rights are protected in a news release.

According to FSIN vice cheif, Craig McCallum, “First Nations must understand how these federal and provincial strategies, reforms, and approval pathways may impact their inherent and Treaty rights, and they must be provided with adequate resources and capacity so they can participate meaningfully in any consultation process.”

McCallum said any strategy or approval process that does not have “meaningful Nation-to-Nation engagement” with Indigenous groups is  “unacceptable.”

FSIN said any expedited process needs to be met with early and properly-resourced engagement with First Nations.

“First Nations require Treaty-based funding to participate in legislative and policy reviews, clear timelines that allow for meaningful consultation, and a commitment that no expedited approval pathway will override the Crown’s Treaty and constitutional obligations to First Nations,” McCallum said.

– with files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick