Premier Smith:CARNEY STOPS 2026 ELECTRIC VEHICLE GOAL

Premier Smith of Alberta has been vocal in his opposition to the federal government's eco-oriented policies, particularly the electric vehicle (EV) mandate. He has long advocated for the elimination of this mandate, arguing that it is not the federal government's place to dictate the types of vehicles Canadians can drive. Recently, his stance has gained support from other Premiers and industry leaders across the country, who share his concern that such market intervention could lead to increased costs for citizens.

While Premier Smith has expressed some optimism regarding Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to pause the EV mandate, he believes that this move does not go far enough. In his view, the EV mandate should be completely abolished, along with other regulations that are perceived as hindering Canada's progress. He sees the pause as a first step, but emphasizes that more comprehensive action is necessary to foster the investor confidence required to unlock Canada's economic potential.

To enhance Canada's economic strength, Premier Smith stresses the need to repeal laws introduced by the Trudeau administration that limit resource development and have eroded investor confidence. These include the oil and gas emissions cap, Bill C-69, the tanker ban, net-zero power regulations, and restrictions imposed on energy companies. He argues that without significant changes to these policies, Canada will struggle to attract the investment necessary for its energy sector to thrive and maintain its global competitiveness.

By repealing these regulations, Premier Smith believes that Canada can create a more favorable business environment, one that encourages investment and drives economic growth. This, in turn, would have a positive impact on the country's overall prosperity, benefiting not just the energy sector but also everyday citizens. As such, he urges the federal government to take a more comprehensive approach to addressing the concerns of provinces like Alberta, and to work towards creating a more balanced and sustainable economic framework for the country as a whole.