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There had previously been signs of political tension between the federal and provincial New Democrat leaders. Last month, Notley criticized Singh’s opposition to the Trans Mountain and Energy East pipeline projects, suggesting it was “absolutely wrong” of the newly elected leader to oppose them on environmental grounds since Alberta’s carbon levy and other climate policies were addressing those concerns.

However, between public events Saturday on a two-day swing through Alberta, Singh credited the premier with creating “the most aggressive climate change plan in the country.”

And Singh said his party will work to diversify the economy to better shield Alberta workers from the ravages of the boom-and-bust cycle.

“I believe in building up an economy that’s actually going to be long lasting and sustainable — not looking at just a one- or two-year window, but looking at what we can do at the federal level to build up an economy that’s long lasting for 30 years, for 50 years, for 100 years.”

Singh also criticized the federal response to the opioid crisis, pointing out that Canada is on track to surpass 3,000 deaths this year.

Alberta is second only to B.C. for the number of opioid deaths.

“If this were a Zika virus outbreak and we knew that 3,000 people were going to die, you know there would be immediate action,” Singh said.

“This is a health-care crisis and people are dying, and we’re not treating it that way. At the federal level, I’m really upset that we haven’t taken this as seriously as it needs to be.