UPDATED: Alberta government launches $7-million ad campaign opposing feds’ oil, gas emissions cap

The Alberta government said it will be rolling out the Scrap the Cap national ad campaign to try to convince the Canadian government to scrap its proposed oil and gas emissions cap. By bringing forward this campaign, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said it is “telling the federal government to forget this reckless and extreme idea and get behind Alberta’s leadership by investing in real solutions that cut emissions and do not cut Canada’s prosperity.” “We know that we can reduce emissions and enjoy a thriving economy, but only if Ottawa abandons the proposed oil and gas emissions cap for good,” said Smith at a Tuesday press conference. “The simple and undisputed fact is this — Alberta is already a global leader in responsible energy production and emissions reduction, and our energy industry is leading the way in developing technologies that reduce emissions and the size of our environmental footprint.” She said this includes spending money on carbon capture technology, which will position Alberta as a leader in clean energy and help industries cut emissions while growing the economy. To solve emissions challenges, she said it requires engineering and innovation. Instead, she said the Canadian government “plans to use a sledgehammer to kill a fly.” She asked Canadians to join the Alberta government in writing MPs to tell them to stop the emissions cap. Smith concluded by saying Alberta’s and Canada’s future depends on it. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz said the government is standing up to the Canadian government’s plan to impose an emissions cap. “Left-wing politicians and activists refuse to listen to the very real concerns raised by provinces, businesses, and Canadians time and time again,” said Schulz. “So today we are once again amplifying these concerns across Canada.” While the Canadian government wants to move forward, Schulz confirmed the Alberta government will not stand by as it threatens tens of thousands of jobs and jeopardizes billions of dollars in revenue. She added it is time for people to tell it to scrap the cap. Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean said the Alberta government needs help from Albertans and Canadians. “Not only is the federal government’s proposal on emissions cap for Alberta harmful, but it risks energy security for our entire country and for what,” said Jean. “Alberta has been reducing our emissions for years, and we didn’t need a federally-regulated emission cap to do so.” If this cap is implemented, Jean predicted it will lower people’s quality of life and put thousands of jobs and a stable energy supply at risk. He vowed to cut emissions and not production. Smith followed up by saying this campaign will cost $7 million. “It’s going to include TV, online, video, print, and social media,” she said. “It’ll be in Alberta, BC, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia until the end of November.” The Alberta government said in February more than $1 trillion in gross domestic product and 151,000 jobs will be lost by 2040 if the Canadian government moves forward with an emissions cap..UPDATED: Alberta warns Ottawa its emissions cap would cost $1 trillion by 2040 .“If implemented, this cap would have a devastating impact on the economies of Alberta and all of Canada,” said Schulz. “Oil and gas production would be curtailed, tens of thousands could be out of work and the economic impact would be felt from coast to coast.”

UPDATED: Alberta government launches $7-million ad campaign opposing feds’ oil, gas emissions cap

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