Recommendations already underway

There are a significant number of Fair Deal Panel recommendations where significant work is already underway and will continue.

Recommendation 1 | Press strenuously for the removal of the current constraints on the Fiscal Stabilization Program, which prevent Albertans from receiving a $2.4 billion equalization rebate.

The Government of Alberta has and will continue to advocate for retroactive changes to the Fiscal Stabilization Program through various means. Indeed, Budget 2020 dedicated a separate chapter to the federal-provincial fiscal issues (“A Fair Deal for Alberta”), which outlined Alberta’s case for reforming the Fiscal Stabilization Program.

Recommendation 3 | Collaborate with other jurisdictions to reduce trade barriers within Canada and pressure the federal government to enforce free trade in Canada.

Alberta has taken a leadership role in reducing trade barriers within Canada.

The province continues to call on the federal government and other provinces and territories to eliminate their trade barriers and follow Alberta’s lead by removing their Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) exceptions.

Alberta also continues to promote the benefits of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA) to provinces and territories across Canada. The NWPTA is the most open and comprehensive trade agreement within Canada, covering all economic sectors with only a handful of exceptions.

Recommendation 4 | Collaborate with other jurisdictions and other stakeholders to secure cross-border rights of way and create unobstructed corridors within Canada to tidewater and world markets.

Alberta has led high-level conversations with other Premiers at national events, such as the Council of the Federation and First Minister meetings, regarding the importance of pursing economic corridors to support the movement of Canada’s products to new markets. Alberta will continue to pursue this policy objective with our willing partners and advocate for other jurisdictions to join in supporting corridors on the national stage. A government MLA will be appointed to lead further work in this area.

Recommendation 5 | Collaborate with other jurisdictions to design and advance regional strategies for northern development; pressure the federal government to implement those strategies.

The Northern Alberta Development Council (NADC) is a public agency accountable to the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism (EDTT). Its mandate is to investigate, monitor, evaluate, plan and promote practical measures to foster and advance development in northern Alberta.

NADC will continue to focus on the development of one or more multi-modal corridors across the north, which would include broadband, utilities, roadways, and rail. Alberta will develop a Northern Strategy for Alberta, which will further develop the corridor concepts and complement the work of other provincial and territorial members of the Northern Minister’s Development Forum.

Recommendation 6 A & B | Support and press for the strictest possible application of the principle of representation by population in the House of Commons. Work with other provinces and the federal government to democratize the Senate appointment process.

The Government recently reintroduced the Senatorial Selection Act to ensure a democratic appointment process for current and future Senate appointments. The government has also committed to holding Senate elections in conjunction with the 2021 municipal elections. Finally, a letter advocating for a more representative share of House of Commons seats will be sent to the federal government in the coming weeks.

Recommendation 10 | Collaborate with other provinces and industry to advance market-based approaches to environmental protection, including a reduction in GHG emissions.

Alberta is working with other jurisdictions that share the common objective of ensuring that climate change response plans are locally-developed and reflective of the unique circumstances in each province and territory.

This includes a commitment to ensuring we balance our necessary energy development with the need to address climate change.

Recommendation 11 | Continue to challenge federal legislation that affects provincial jurisdiction.

The Government of Alberta has a number of court challenges of federal legislation underway, including on Bill C-69 (the new environmental assessment and regulation act) and the federal carbon pricing scheme, where we were victorious.

Alberta will continue to push back against all unwarranted intrusions into provincial jurisdiction, whether though political, inter­governmental, or legal mechanisms.

Recommendation 15 | Appoint an Alberta Chief Firearms Officer (CFO).

The decision to appoint a Chief Provincial Firearms Officer was made in early June 2020. A letter of intent will be sent to the federal Minister to commence the negotiation process.

Recommendation 16 | Secure a seat at the table when the federal government negotiates and implements international agreements and treaties affecting Alberta’s interests.

Alberta has strenuously pursue advocacy work to ensure a formal seat for Alberta at the negotiating table. The province will put this message in writing to the federal government.

Recommendation 17 | Strengthen Alberta’s presence in Ottawa.

The Government of Alberta has announced that it will open advocacy offices in Ottawa, British Columbia and Quebec.

The Ottawa office will be a formal establishment with staff dedicated to the task of advancing Alberta’s interests on the national stage.

Recommendation 20 | Continue to diversify Alberta’s economy in the energy sector and beyond.

Alberta continues to work diligently to diversify the energy economy as well as explore opportunities for diversification. This includes increasing Alberta’s competitive advantage by focusing on our principle industries (Energy, Agriculture and Tourism) and empowering sectors such as technology, aviation, air cargo, aerospace, financial services, fintech and rare earth minerals.

Alberta will continue to work diligently with various federal ministries and agencies to ensure we can maximize the federal contribution to Alberta’s priority areas.

Recommendation 21 | Vigorously pursue access to markets for Alberta’s exports.

Alberta will continue to vigorously pursue the completion of all major pipeline projects that support moving the province’s valuable resources to market, including investing in the Keystone XL pipeline and advocating for the completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project.

Alberta also has a strong international presence with 12 international offices, including Washington, D.C., and Beijing. These international offices will continue to play a vital role in advancing Alberta’s interests on the world stage through trade promotion, investment attraction and advocacy initiatives.

Recommendation 24 | Use democratic tools such as referenda and citizens’ initiatives to seek Albertans’ guidance on selected Fair Deal Panel proposals and other initiatives.