Opinion: Carney's Pipeline Deal with Smith is Political Blackmail

This opinion piece by Carson Jerema criticizes the recent agreement between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding a new pipeline to the West Coast. The author argues that the deal, which conditions the pipeline's 'national interest' designation on Alberta raising its industrial carbon tax to $130 per tonne by 2035 and building carbon capture facilities, represents political extortion rather than genuine cooperation. The article contends that the agreement fails to address the core regulatory barriers hindering infrastructure development in Canada, specifically citing the Impact Assessment Act as the primary obstacle. Jerema asserts that repealing this legislation would be more effective in boosting economic competitiveness and reducing separatist sentiments in Alberta than the current negotiated terms. The piece highlights that the deal still leaves the project vulnerable to regulations and potential vetoes from British Columbia, characterizing the federal government's approach as driven by politics rather than market demand.