**Alberta Premier Advocates for Federal Energy Project Partnership**

OTTAWA — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is in Ottawa this week to advance her recent commitment to support the development of a new oil pipeline proposal to Canada’s West Coast. Smith aims to have the project, which currently lacks a private sector backer and a defined route, submitted for consideration by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new Major Projects Office by next spring.

On Monday, Smith met with Carney at the Ottawa airport just before he departed for Washington, where he is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. During a brief photo opportunity before their private discussion, Smith emphasized the challenges Canada faces in constructing major projects. She stated that achieving this goal requires balancing the development of new energy infrastructure with the need to reduce emissions.

Carney acknowledged the importance of their discussions, noting that there are significant opportunities for Canada to become an energy superpower, although he did not specify any particular projects.

Later today, Smith is expected to hold a news conference in Ottawa to update the public on Alberta’s initiatives to collaborate with the federal government in order to "create lasting prosperity" for Canadians. She is actively advocating for the repeal of several environmental policies enacted by the previous government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. These include a ban on oil tankers off the British Columbia coast and a cap on emissions from oil and gas production.

Smith's visit underscores her administration's focus on energy development and its implications for Alberta's economy.