At a Glance - Week of May 20
Smith and Carney Announce Pipeline Deal
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have announced a new climate and energy agreement that could pave the way for the construction of a major oil pipeline to Canada’s West Coast beginning as early as 2027. The deal builds on a memorandum of understanding signed last November and includes a slower increase to Alberta’s industrial carbon price, reaching an effective price of $130 per tonne by 2040. However, no private-sector proponent or confirmed pipeline route has been identified.
Smith described the agreement as a “good day for Alberta and a good day for Canada.” B.C. Premier David Eby criticized the proposed arrangement, arguing it could give Alberta an unfair advantage. “We will not be in a competitive position if Alberta has a special federal carbon price the rest of us don’t have access to in the rest of Canada,” Eby said.
Judge Overturns Alberta Separation Petition
An Alberta judge has quashed a separatist referendum petition backed by Stay Free Alberta, ruling that the provincial government failed in its duty to consult First Nations before issuing the petition. Justice Shaina Leonard stated the petition should never have been approved, agreeing with arguments from several Alberta First Nations that separation efforts could violate treaty rights and constitutional obligations. The separatist group claimed to have gathered nearly 302,000 signatures, well above the required threshold.
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will appeal the ruling. “This is a decision by one judge,” Smith said. “We think that this decision is incorrect in law and anti-democratic, and we will be appealing it as a result.”
Continued Investments in Affordable Housing
Alberta and the federal government are investing $323 million through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program to build more than 3,600 affordable housing units and over 70 shelter spaces across the province. The funding will support 41 projects in communities including Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Grande Prairie, with at least 10 per cent of units designed to be accessible. The initiative aims to provide safe and stable housing for vulnerable Albertans.
Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, Jason Nixon, commented: “You can’t have strong communities without places for people to live. That’s why we’re building affordable housing in every corner of this province, and we’re doing it by partnering with the people on the ground who know their communities best and how to deliver real results.”
Support for Skilled-Trades Career Pathways at NAIT
Budget 2026 includes a $384 million investment to expand apprenticeship training at NAIT through the creation of the Advanced Skills Centre, one of the largest skilled trades infrastructure investments in Alberta’s history. The new 625,000 square-foot facility, expected to open in fall 2030, will support 5,500 additional apprentices each year across 29 programs. This investment reflects the province’s broader aim to prioritize careers in high-demand sectors such as construction, transportation, manufacturing and energy.
Laura Jo Gunter, President and CEO of NAIT, stated: “NAIT applauds the Government of Alberta for this historic investment in the skilled trades. The Advanced Skill Centre will ensure more Albertans – 5,500 extra annually – get industry-leading training so they are job-ready to build the next generation of economic opportunities.”