With the 2025 federal election campaign now in the books, Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed his new cabinet, which he says will work towards the betterment of all regions and provinces, including his home province of Alberta.
Whether he will succeed in bringing the county’s together and meeting the many national and international challenges facing Canada in the months and years ahead remains to be seen.
One thing that is certain is that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already emerged as one of Carney’s most vocal critics – and her opposition to the federal government on many issues all but ensures that any hope of Ottawa and Alberta working smoothly together remains remote.
For example, minutes after Carney appointed his new cabinet, Smith issued a scathing critique of the Canada’s new Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin.
“I am very concerned the prime minister has appointed what appears to be yet another anti-oil and gas environment minister,” said Smith. “Now we are being forced to contend with yet another ‘keep it in the ground’ environment minister.
“Albertans will not stand for the status quo from Ottawa. If the prime minister is serious about resetting the relationship with Ottawa and Alberta then we need meaningful action, not more of the same.”
For his part, the prime minister says his new government and cabinet will promote both industry and environmental protection.
“We've been elected to do a job and we intend to do it quickly and forcefully,” Carney told reporters. “We’re going to deliver that mandate with a new team purpose-built for this hinge moment in Canada’s history.”
According to Environment Canada, Alberta remains far and away Canada’s most polluting province in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, with Alberta’s vital oil and gas industry being a major contributor to those emission levels.
With that in mind, is it any surprise that Premier Danielle Smith has been quick to voice her opposition to the new federal Liberal cabinet, and in particular to the new environment minister?
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
