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Every once in a while it’s important to stop and smell the roses, or the painfully clear winter air where nothing survives to give off any aromas. This week is one of those weeks. Peaceful. A lull in the chaos of Manifest Destiny threats and … hahaha, kidding, sorry.
While this week might not have the same existential dread hanging over it, after U.S. tariffs were paused for 30 days (after which they will once again be used in a ploy to bully the entire nation into subservience), there’s still always plenty to talk about.
It’s not all about Trump, y’all.
But Alberta continues to send ministers south to bend any pliable ear, and also pushes to use the current surge in nationalism and nation-building to push for pipelines everywhere (with new-found support from those anti-oil elitists in Ottawa).
Breathe deep and read on.
The United Conservative government does not like taxes … until it does. And it appears it doesn’t like it when some people aren’t taxed, like, say, when they don’t pay the gas tax because they don’t use gas. Unfair!
To rectify this problem, the government is following through on a pledge it made in the last budget to charge people for driving electric vehicles.
Every time the owner of an electric vehicle renews their registration, it will now cost an extra $200 — unless it’s an off-road vehicle or motorcycle, for some reason. The government says it’s to make things even-Steven with drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles, who pay tax every time they fill up.
Never mind that while the government has a policy to reduce or suspend the gas tax if the cost at the pump increases, there’s no similar policy to cushion electric vehicle owners against rising costs. Totally fair!
“This is a fair way for all drivers to contribute to public services, and to help keep roads and highways safe and smooth,” Finance Minister Nate Horner said in an announcement, smoothly implying that money goes towards roads and not into general revenue — like it does.
The new tax starts on Feb. 13, so there’s still time to cancel that special Valentine’s dinner to help pay the bills.
Last year, the Alberta government made a big announcement that it would institute a new, stable price for electricity for those who are unable to sign a contract with a provider. I know, I know, Alberta’s grid is confusing.
Basically, the volatile rate offered to those without contracts was expensive and would shift on a dime. The government wanted a rate that was settled for two years at a time to offer predictability. It’s all about the consumers, don’cha know.
The government called it the Rate of Last Resort, because Albertans really should try to find a better contract.
But, even when it was announced last year, critics pointed out it was not only higher than what most people on a contract would pay, it was also higher than the market rate. So, uh, why do it?
Now, in a twist, the Alberta government (2025 edition) is coming out forcefully against the Alberta government (2024 edition) and its stable electricity price.
“Albertans shouldn’t pay more on their power bill than they have to,” Nathan Neudorf, the minister of affordability and utilities, who introduced the Rate of Last Resort, said while announcing the “don’t default to the Rate of Last Resort” campaign on Thursday. “Our government is taking action to ensure they have the tools they need to make informed decisions about their electricity so more of their hard-earned dollars can be used where they’re needed most for them and their families.”
No word yet on whether the advertising campaign to ensure Albertans don’t pay too much for electricity is being funded with electric-vehicle tax (just kidding, I didn’t ask this).
Also — totally unrelated and irrelevant in the Alberta context — the price of renewables continues to plummet.
Never let a good crisis go to waste, they say, because they’re really jaded.
Anyway, amid all the booing and the visions of majestic beavers gnawing on quality Canadian softwood lumber backdropped by slowly fluttering maple leafs (beauuuuuutiful), Canada is starting to have some serious conversations about how to move forward without whatever nightmare is shaping up south of the border.
It raises some serious questions about the risks and rewards of nationalism, and about what we’re willing to sacrifice to shore up our economic and political sovereignty.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been using the moment to not only push for more and more border and police crackdowns, but also to get pipelines built quickly to expand market access for oil and gas.
It seems that message is gaining momentum. Quebec is wavering in its opposition, federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson wants to talk about building an east-west pipeline and B.C. Premier David Eby is getting downright “ethical oil” on us.
The arguments are so familiar in Alberta we barely notice it anymore, but the national temperature is rising, along with the actual temperature (thanks fossil fuels!), which could be a catalyst for more development.
But it is a change of direction from a couple of months ago when the province said it was getting directly involved in helping pipelines get to the U.S. I wonder how that’s going?
This is sure to be the driver of the provincial, and national, debate for the near future, with consequences that will determine our long-term (national, political, economic, climatic, environmental, social) future.
Oh, it’s cute that you asked.
As the Alberta government consults with the coal industry on how best to facilitate the return of the coal industry to the eastern slopes of the Rockies, the Kainai Nation in southern Alberta is preparing to fight.
The nation has reiterated its opposition to a coal resurgence after helping to defeat an earlier attempt by former premier Jason Kenney.
“We wish to be very clear that Kainai opposes any new coal development in the eastern slopes of the Blackfoot Treaty region and we will take all steps necessary against new coal mines, particularly in light of Alberta’s complete disregard for our Treaty Rights,” Chief Traveller Plaited Hair wrote to Smith.
It feels like the same issues just keep resurfacing (niiiiice), but at least there’s no news about the environment minister promoting fossil fuels or the parks minister promoting hunting — not this week.
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