Alberta Premier Requests Trudeau Focus on Energy Security in Meeting With Biden

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has sent a letter to the prime minister requesting that his meeting with the U.S. president focus on the need for energy security.

The letter says the visit of President Joe Biden to Canada presents “an opportunity of great significance.”

“It is my request that the federal government uses its platform to focus on collaboration between the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the critical need for North American energy security,” said Smith in the letter, dated March 23.

Alberta and Canada, said Smith, need to position themselves as “the preferred supplier of responsibly produced, ethical energy to the U.S., North America, and the world.”

The premier noted Canada has a deep and long-lasting relationship with the United States at both federal and state levels, which she said is growing in importance.

“In 2022, Alberta surpassed Ontario and Quebec as the largest provincial exporter of goods to the U.S. at $182.5 billion, with energy making up 85 per cent of exports to the United States. Alberta, by far, remains the single largest source of U.S. energy imports,” Smith wrote.

She told Trudeau that North American energy security “must be a top priority” for the federal government, and said the prime minister needs to “raise the need for better collaboration between Canada and the U.S. to ensure the continued and enhanced supply of sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy to the U.S.”

Smith said she was recommending that the two governments work together and fast-track energy projects, as well as make a similar effort in the critical minerals industry.

“As is only appropriate when discussing natural resources, and areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction, I would also request that Premiers be invited to participate in a meeting with the President and his delegation,” she said.

According to Smith, Alberta is a leader in reducing emissions and transitioning to new sources of energy. She said new investments in the province “are global flagships in clean energy and emissions reductions technology.”

One of the projects she highlighted is with Pennsylvania company Air Products, which intends to create a world-scale, net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Alberta.

The premier also indicated Canada’s oil sands operators have announced an intention to spend $24 billion on emission-reduction projects by 2030, as part of plans to reach net zero by 2050.

“All of this amounts to a herculean effort undertaken by industry partners, and Alberta’s government, to position ourselves as the foremost leader in emissions reduction and responsible energy production,” said Smith.

The premier offered to assist Trudeau and the federal government in advancing and developing a business case to increase exports to the United States.

The prime minister’s office did not respond to requests for comment by press time.