**Quebec Urged to Develop Its Own Natural Gas Industry** Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is advocating for Quebec to establish its own natural gas industry. During her visit to Montreal on Monday, she emphasized the importance of Quebec utilizing its resources to reduce reliance on external sources. Smith addressed approximately 400 attendees at the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. She stated, "I believe Quebec has a 200-year supply of its own natural gas. They should develop their own natural gas so that they can wean themselves off their 100 percent reliability on America." The premier suggested that developing local resources would empower Quebec to become more self-sufficient. "If Quebecers want to be strong and sovereign within a united Canada, starting by developing their own resources is number one," she added. While Smith did not propose a pipeline to transport Alberta's oil or natural gas through Quebec, she mentioned ongoing discussions with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. These talks involve transporting Alberta's fossil fuels to Thunder Bay, from where they could be shipped east via the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Smith expressed Alberta's willingness to assist Quebec in creating a regulatory framework and energy royalty system for its natural gas industry. "We have some expertise in the regulatory environment, we have some expertise in the royalty environment," she said. She also highlighted the potential for Quebec to develop a new revenue source, which could help reduce its reliance on equalization payments. "I’d love to see Quebec develop a new revenue source so that they can reduce the amount of equalization they get," Smith noted. During her eastern Canada tour, Smith is scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford, as well as various business leaders from Quebec and Ontario. She aims to foster collaboration between Alberta and Quebec businesses. Smith concluded her remarks by calling for a renewed partnership between the provinces. "Let’s put the last 10 years behind us and let’s start building again," she said. "We need to have a strong energy system that will support all of the development in all of our provinces, and each of the provinces has to be able to develop to their strengths." She also expressed frustration with the federal government, stating, "I think we both are frustrated with the federal government that wants to impose its will on the provincial jurisdictions." Smith emphasized the need for provinces to operate within their exclusive areas of jurisdiction, advocating for a more balanced relationship with the federal government.