Smith keeps Alberta from realizing its potential
By Lethbridge Herald on October 14, 2025.
Editor,
Today is a good day to say a hard “NO” to Premier Smith regarding pipeline expansion. Her petulance and bullying are wearying. Talk of carbon capture doesn’t solve anything.
When you sweep dust under the rug, it’s still there! We have so many sources of natural carbon capture from native grasslands and peatlands to our forested watersheds on the western edge of our beautiful province.
Investment in natural carbon capture protection is more secure than funding a declining industry and decimating ecosystems along the way.
Where is our conscience when we continue to increase our carbon emissions in a changing climate? Climate change is not a bad word, it is our reality and we are ALL responsible.
Albertans live on an edge of financial uncertainty. Boom and bust fluctuations in the oil and gas industry are guaranteed. In an up market the rich get richer, in a down market, the rest of us are “beneficiaries” of austerity dictums. Like right now with 730,000 kids out of school!
We could become a clean energy leader, our abundance of sunshine and wind is just waiting to be captured, developed and marketed. Our air would be cleaner. Our supply of water could be assured and our overall mental and emotional health would benefit as well.
“Alberta is calling” put forward by Jason Kenney has continued to be the clarion call of Premier Smith promising a land of abundance and opportunity. Gosh, she forgot about adequate housing, schools, health care and something as basic as water.
Our province is in tatters. We are in a chaotic state of flux. Fault lies squarely on Premier Smith’s shoulders. She refuses to be accountable, her listening skills are lacking. She panders to separatist fringes like the Alberta Prosperity Project and Take Back Alberta. Communication, collaboration and co-operation with the majority of Albertans seldom figure in her dreams and aspirations. Without hesitation it is always the other guys’ fault.
Prime Minister Carney, I admire and respect your tenacity and patience in dealing with Trump. Sadly, our premier often references his playbook. She is simply seeking power and adulation.
Many of our First Nations leaders plan ahead seven generations. Jane Goodall spent her entire life striving to leave the world a better place. As proud Albertans and Canadians, let’s start now leaving the world a better place too.
Jacqueline L. Chalmers
Claresholm
14-13
Uneducated, normal NDP rhetoric that shows you have little knowledge on the issues! You are probably the same people who demand more funding for for social services, healthcare, education, and your favourite social programs, but have no idea where that money is supposed to come from.
Let me remind you that NDP Rachel Notley fought for pipelines!
You rant about carbon capture ‘talk’ not solving anything? Wake up and do some research!!!! Alberta has carbon capture projects operational and has had for several years, with more projects coming! It does work!
Sometimes you need to do some research and not listen to the propanda spread by those you cannot get elected by their own merit or track record, but by attacking their opponents with disinformation/misinformation.
Lastly, Canada only emits 1.6% of the world GHG, and at best, by shutting down all major industries, may be able to bring that down to about 1%! That would make little difference!
China, who refuses to agree on any emissions reduction, emits over 34%!
When you add China, the US and the EU together, it is 60% of the world GHG emissions.
So in reality, which country do you think should be under world scrutiny to reduce GHG emissions? A country that would have the biggest impact?
And why is Canada the country that is the bad guy? Ever taken the time to really think what is really going on here?
Canada can do little, even under drastic efforts! Are you aware that the massive refinery near Redwater, which then NDP Notley supported by investing Alberta in, also has carbon capture?
The give me’s always want more money, more programs, more services, but they never can understand that money doesn’t just fall from the sky!
Alberta has been a major contributor to Canada, employing thousands from across Canada and a major contributor to the Canadian GDP, up until Trudeau, who killed the Canadian economy and doubled our national debt in just a few years.
Solar and wind energy have a bigger carbon footprint than fossil fuels and Alberta is trying to bring in other major industries to help bring in revenues to pay the bills for healthcare, education, social services, infrastructure, poilicing, etc., but right now we need those revenues.
Canada benefits considerably from the Alberta energy sector and right now we face major expenditures federally, to rebuild our military as we face tariff wars with two major trade partners who both want Canada to be theirs!
We are facing some tough times ahead for several years, including the possibility of world war III and we need to pay the bills in Alberta if you want all the services and increases people are demanding!