Smith’s positions are hardly extreme at all but represent the common sense we need to see more of in all of our governments. Pictured: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Photo Credit: Danielle Smith/X.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has recently made some bold moves that further solidify positions she has taken earlier in several areas but have also stirred the political pot. Smith has been one of the most outspoken premiers – if not the most outspoken – against the many bad policies of the Trudeau regime and she upped the ante this week by stating that the Trudeau government could get even more dangerous for the remaining time they are in power because they know they are on the way out and don’t care what havoc they wreak. Smith said, “the last few months of a dying government is when they’re most dangerous”. She’s absolutely right.
In this author’s long experience as an advocate for small- and medium-sized businesses with governments of all partisan stripes and at all levels, this has been referred to as scorched earth. Historically, scorched earth describes a military policy where a retreating army would destroy all of the houses, crops, factories etc. in an area so that the enemy could not use them. In the political arena, some governments are actually decent and care about Canada and Canadians, so they don’t wreck everything on their way out to make things as difficult as possible for their successors and citizens.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper was a good example of responsible government in this regard, as when it became increasingly clear he was going to lose the 2015 election to Trudeau, instead of wrecking the joint he left a balanced budget, positive relations with major trading partners, a decent economy and an improving standard of living for Canadians. Paradoxically, it was Trudeau that ruined all that following his election win. Considering Trudeau’s apparent dislike of Canada and Canadians, and his irresponsible actions on the world stage as well as here at home, we can’t expect the same kind of class act from him as he departs as we saw with Harper.
In making these comments this week, Smith was specifically referring to the federal government’s actions regarding Canada’s oil and gas industry. She stated, “If they don’t see a path to re-election in being reasonable and working collaboratively they’re going to pass all kinds of policy knowing it will be complicated and take some time to undo and send a chill in the investment community.” Considering the immense damage Trudeau’s policies have already done to Canada’s economy, our standard of living and the way investors perceive Canada, it’s hard to believe it could actually get any “chillier” but anything is possible.
The next few months in particular will be important, as Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is looking to impose an “emissions cap” on Canada’s oil and gas sector. The notion of an emissions cap has been shown many times to actually mean a forced reduction in the output of this industry that contributes so much to Canada’s GDP, employment, exports and tax and royalty revenues for governments. The idea of a government forcing any law-abiding industry to reduce its output by government fiat should be viewed as outrageous and unacceptable by all Canadians.
Also upcoming is yet another international COP climate bunfest, this time in Azerbaijan. As with other COP meetings, Canadian politicians will preen and strut and dine out on the taxpayer dime, pretending to be leaders on policies to counter the effects of climate change. A government as irresponsible as Trudeau’s will surely use these occasions to make extreme and dangerous announcements to try to make themselves look good to the “woke” crowd.
Among other things, Smith is launching an advertising campaign to inform Canadians of the dismal impacts we can expect from Trudeau’s plan to hobble the oil and gas sector. And for those Canadians who don’t live in Alberta, don’t fool yourselves that these actions of the Trudeau government will have no impact on you. Many jobs across all provinces are dependent on our energy sector, which is the single largest contributor to Canadian GDP of all industry sectors. Tax revenues from Alberta also underpin the equalization program that sends billions to other provinces. Every Canadian has an interest in seeing our oil and gas sector succeed, whether they know it or not.
Smith has also recently moved to enhance the Alberta Bill of Rights, first introduced by former premier Peter Lougheed in 1972. The Bill initially laid out rights such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly and association, freedom of the press and the right of the individual to liberty, security of the person and enjoyment of property. Smith has proposed adding elements such as the right to make one’s own choices over vaccinations and other medical decisions, enhanced property rights and the right to legally acquire and safely use firearms.
Some observers view Smith’s stances as extreme and too confrontational. But actually, her having the courage to take the lead on some of these controversial but important issues ends up making it okay for others who feel the same way but are hesitant to express it to also come out publicly. In reality, Smith’s positions are hardly extreme at all but represent the common sense we need to see more of in all of our governments. These are conversations we need to have, and good on Danielle for doubling down and ensuring that we have them.
She has published numerous articles in journals, magazines & other media on issues such as free trade, finance, entrepreneurship & women business owners. Ms. Swift is a past President of the Empire Club of Canada, a former Director of the CD Howe Institute, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, past President of the International Small Business Congress and current Director of the Fraser Institute. She was cited in 2003 & 2012 as one of the most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network & is a recipient of the Queen’s Silver & Gold Jubilee medals.
