EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the appointment of Julie Dabrusin as Canada's new environment minister is a bad idea that forecasts renewed federal opposition to oil and gas development.
Smith made the comments on social media shortly after Dabrusin was named to the post by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Smith says her government remains keen to work with Carney to reset her province's relationship with Ottawa, but that Dabusin's appointment is, in her words, "a step in the wrong direction."
She called Dabrusin a vocal foe of oil and gas development while serving as an acolyte of former environment minister Steven Guilbeault, whom Smith has derided as a "militant" crusader for extremist and unrealistic green projects.
The premier is demanding changes on the environment file from Carney's government, including unfettered pipeline access to Canada's coasts.
While Smith says she wants Alberta to stay in Canada, her government is passing a bill that would drop the bar to allow for citizen-initiated referendums, such as whether her province should quit Confederation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.