The Premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan took to social media to slam the Trudeau government for punishing their provinces with unrealistic net-zero electricity targets despite their major role in driving Canada’s economy.
On Thursday, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault published his government’s Draft Clean Electricity Regulations, outlining the federal plan to eliminate fossil fuels and high-emission power sources from Canada’s electricity grid.
The regulations will require provinces to meet a “stringent pollution emissions standard.” According to the federal government, the plan does not prescribe specific technologies like carbon capture to be used to reach the target and includes some flexibility for “an ongoing, though limited” role for fossil-fuels past the year 2035.
On the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter,) Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was engaging in an unrealistic plan.
“Trudeau’s net-zero electricity regulations are unaffordable, unrealistic and unconstitutional. They will drive electricity rates through the roof and leave Saskatchewan with an unreliable power supply. Our government will not let the federal government do that to the Saskatchewan people,” wrote Moe.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also chimed in on Thursday evening saying that the government’s threats were “completely unnecessary.”
“I couldn’t agree more with Premier Scott Moe. Ottawa’s unrealistic net-zero targets and recent escalation is completely unnecessary. It’s time for the feds to face reality and work with us on pragmatic solutions,” tweeted Smith.
The federal government has put out several aggressive signals to ensure compliance with the incoming regulations.
Earlier this week, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson threatened to bar provinces that refuse to comply with the standard from billions in tax credits and funding for renewable energy.
Minister Guilbeault also threatened potential criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply.
