The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Nov. 27, edition that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is mulling seizing ownership of data on greenhouse gases collected by energy companies in her province. The Globe's Carrie Tait and Emma Graney write that she aims to use her Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act to push back against what she calls Ottawa's unconstitutional interference. The act's legality has yet to be tested in court. The United Conservative Party claims that Ottawa's proposed emissions ceiling acts as a production cap for oil and gas, infringing on Alberta's jurisdiction over its non-renewable resources. Ms. Smith's legislation and the tactics she is proposing -- which include barring entry to oil and gas facilities, save for company employees and their contractors, without approval from the Alberta government -- are constitutionally questionable, experts say. Ms. Smith intends to table a motion proposing a list of actions Alberta could pursue to fight the emissions plan, including a court challenge. The proposed remedies involve declaring all greenhouse gas emissions data collected by energy companies in the province as proprietary information owned exclusively by the government of Alberta.
© 2024 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.