Article content

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley heads off to Paris in three weeks for international climate change meetings. So will Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his relevant ministers, Notley’s new best friends.

Now we’ll find out if they stay that way.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Don Braid: Paris climate summit will test where the West ranks in Trudeau's Canada Back to video

There’s no doubting the early goodwill between two leaders who actually believe in climate change, gender parity, and other matters that are entirely new in the seats of Alberta and Ottawa power.

Combined, Saskatchewan, B.C. and Alberta have six members of cabinet, fewer than greater Toronto.

Ontario alone boasts 11 ministers,

Trudeau’s open invitation to Rideau Hall for the swearing-in was much like Notley’s own installation at the legislature on May 24; a spontaneous public celebration of new directions and hope.

That’s great. Inspiring, too. Every society needs uplifting symbols and ceremonies.

It would be even better, though, if hope created jobs.

But it doesn’t, and now the premier faces the hard work of forging a climate change policy that aligns both with Alberta’s oil and gas economy, and whatever Ottawa proposes for climate change.