Opinion: Danielle Smith puts oil and gas ahead of Alberta farmers
Last week, Premier Danielle Smith broke ranks with the rest of Canada’s premiers in their effort to present a united front against U.S. tariffs that threaten Canadian industries. Claiming to be putting “Alberta first,” Smith demanded an exception for the oil and gas sector instead of supporting a pan-Canadian plan. But does this really serve Albertans? It is true that oil and gas is often considered the crown jewel of Alberta’s economy. But it’s hardly a homegrown affair. While it does indeed employ many Albertans, a significant portion of oilpatch workers are from outside Alberta, and over 70 per cent of oilsands production is owned by investors and shareholders outside Canada. And what about the province’s other industries, like agriculture, and people and communities who depend on them? Agriculture has been at the heart of Alberta’s economy and identity since its earliest days, shaping the province’s history and culture.?The province boasts the highest farm revenues in Canada,?and farming is the backbone of many rural communities. Most of Alberta’s canola exports and a large proportion of grain — key crops for the province —are sold to the U.S. Our neighbors to the south are by far the top international market for Alberta’s agri-food exports,?worth $8.9 billion in 2023. This makes Alberta’s farmers and their communities particularly vulnerable to tariffs. Yet Smith’s decision weakens Canada’s collective bargaining power, leaving Alberta’s farmers and other industries at risk. Are some Albertans more deserving of protection than others? Meanwhile, oil companies operating in Alberta owe over $250 million to rural municipalities, and the province has made no meaningful effort to enforce payment. These companies, many of which are in default to municipalities, landowners, and contractors, continue to operate unabated with no clear plan to pay their creditors. While rural communities shoulder the burden of unpaid taxes and debts, Smith seems content to let these corporations off the hook. Is this what “Alberta first” looks like — prioritizing powerful corporations that fail to meet their obligations over the needs of regular Albertans? Smith’s rhetoric might play well to certain audiences, but her actions tell a different story. By refusing to stand with the rest of Canada, she’s undermining the strength of a unified response while putting the interests of multinational corporations above those of everyday Albertans. In the face of an economic war, unity isn’t just patriotic; it’s practical. It’s time for Smith to decide whether “Alberta first” is truly about the people of Alberta or a convenient slogan to justify putting foreign profits ahead of the province’s long-term well-being and that of its hardworking people. Luc Levesque is a fourth-generation grain farmer and served as councilor for the Municipal District of Smoky River No.130 from 2018-2022. Anne Levesque is a lawyer and professor at the University of Ottawa. They are siblings who grew up on a family farm in Falher. Bookmark our website and support our journalism:?Don’t miss the news you need to know — add?EdmontonJournal.com?and?EdmontonSun.com?to your bookmarks and?sign up for our newsletters here.
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