{"id":47520,"date":"2026-05-16T01:09:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T01:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/47520\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T01:09:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T01:09:12","slug":"bell-danielle-smith-has-no-doubt-most-albertans-back-her-pipeline-deal-with-carney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/47520\/","title":{"rendered":"Bell: Danielle Smith has no doubt most Albertans back her pipeline deal with Carney"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith feels a sense of relief this day.<\/p>\n

Smith tells me there was a time she was nervous. After all, a lot is riding on this path to a pipeline.<\/p>\n

The premier admits there were some stumbling blocks the last couple of weeks but they were ironed out with Prime Minister Mark Carney.<\/p>\n

Now Alberta is expecting approval for construction of a pipeline to the west coast by September 1 of next year,<\/a> a date revealed in your scribbler\u2019s last column.<\/p>\n

Of course, the naysayers are already coming out of the woodwork. They insist there will never be a pipeline. Some believe Smith somehow sold out Alberta to get an agreement.<\/p>\n

The premier is not having any of that. She not only feels relieved, she is confident.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe majority of people are being won over,\u201d says Smith, with no hint of hesitation or doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe majority of Albertans want Canada and Alberta to come to an agreement. The majority of people feel optimistic about this deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think most Albertans are rooting for Alberta to do well and most Albertans are rooting for Alberta and Canada to find a way to do this together. We\u2019re trying to win people over decision by decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith points to those she sees as wanting this pipeline deal to collapse.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sign an agreement on oil pipeline approvals and carbon pricing in Calgary on Friday, May 15, 2026.<\/p>\n

She points to Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, as an example. The political wars do not stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople like Naheed Nenshi have been calling this a pipe dream from the beginning and he has a vested interest in not seeing it be successful because his political fortunes are tied to failure,\u201d says Smith, dismissing her rival.<\/p>\n

As for those who don\u2019t trust Carney, how does Smith get their support for this agreement?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why we have got dates written in ink and signed both by myself and the prime minister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Loyal readers know the dates. They are confirmed in Smith\u2019s deal with Carney on Friday.<\/p>\n

July 1, 2026. Alberta submits its pipeline plan to Carney and the federal government.<\/p>\n

A potential route will be identified along with costs and out of what port the oil will be shipped. At this point there are no investors nailed down.<\/p>\n

October 1, 2026. The pipeline would be declared to be in the national interest of Canada and fast-tracked for construction approval.<\/p>\n

Psst \u2026 that\u2019s right before the Alberta independence vote. Take that, separatists!<\/p>\n

September 1, 2027. The pipeline would get construction approval, just like a development gets a building permit.<\/p>\n

Psst\u00a0 \u2026\u00a0 that\u2019s right before the Alberta election. Take that, NDP!<\/p>\n

Smith says getting those dates spelled out is critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose dates were very important to try to win confidence back,\u201d says the premier.<\/p>\n

After all, a deal with Carney was supposed to be inked April 1<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the wait was worth it when you see we got that certainty written in the dates we are both working towards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith says it is also important this pipeline not be stalled, bogged down, delayed or made to wait and wait and wait.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Steel pipe to be used in the pipeline construction of the Trans Mountain expansion is seen at a stockpile site in Kamloops in 2021.<\/p>\n

The premier says the Americans are moving quickly to green-light pipelines. On this side of the border big projects need to get up and running much faster.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to demonstrate we\u2019re prepared to move at the speed of business,\u201d says Smith, adding the world has to see Canada can do it.<\/p>\n

Again, the doubtful remain wondering if this is the start of something new or just another kick in the butt waiting to be delivered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get it. There is a group of people who have to see it to believe it,\u201d replies the premier<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have to see shovels digging the dirt in the ground to start the project and they have to see oil coming out the other end to believe it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope we\u2019ll win over the skeptics with our actions not just our words.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith reminds Albertans if Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives had won the last election, Alberta wouldn\u2019t have to jump through these hoops to get that pipeline to the west coast.<\/p>\n

But Poilievre isn\u2019t the prime minister, Carney is the prime minister and Smith says there was no choice but to meet him in the middle.<\/p>\n

She figures this deal did just that and it is a win for Alberta and a far cry from those days of \u201canger, frustration and despair\u201d under Trudeau.<\/p>\n

On Friday, after she and Carney sign the agreement to get a pipeline going, Smith tells me she might have a glass of wine with her husband over dinner.<\/p>\n

Then it\u2019s back to the grind. There\u2019s tons of work to be done on the pipeline and then there are other issues like immigration and the federal gun grab.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think the work ends. We\u2019ve got a few more things to work out,\u201d says Smith.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t finished with grievances.\u201d<\/p>\n

rbell@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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