Alberta Endorses Energy CEOs’ Call for Infrastructure Expansion

EDMONTON — Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Brian Jean are throwing their support behind a call from 14 energy and pipeline CEOs urging Ottawa to fast-track oil and gas infrastructure projects across the country.

In an open letter to federal party leaders, the executives called for Canada to declare an energy crisis and designate key projects as being in the “national interest” to accelerate development. They argue that regulatory hurdles and government policies have stalled billions in investments, undermining the country’s energy security and economic growth.

Smith and Jean say the Trudeau government’s energy policies have resulted in more than $280 billion in lost or delayed projects over the past decade, costing jobs and government revenue.

“Ottawa’s elected eco-extremists have done everything they can to keep our oil and gas in the ground — that has to change now,” they said in a joint statement.

Alberta’s leaders argue the country is missing a critical opportunity to capitalize on its vast oil and gas reserves, which include an estimated 1.8 trillion barrels of oil and 1.36 quadrillion cubic feet of natural gas.

“The world is desperately looking for predictable, affordable and accessible energy,” their statement reads. “Alberta has by far the largest oil and gas deposits of any free and democratic nation.”

The CEOs’ letter comes as calls grow for Canada to expand its energy exports, particularly in light of ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Smith and Jean say the next federal government must take immediate steps to reverse what they call the “tremendous damage” caused by current policies.