Welcome to Politics Insider. Today’s focus is on an upcoming virtual first ministers’ meeting that Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing to convene. This will be his first meeting since the announcement of an energy-focused memorandum of understanding with Alberta, which has attracted strong criticism from British Columbia.
Virtual Meeting of First Ministers
Prime Minister Mark Carney is gearing up for a virtual first ministers’ meeting on Thursday. This will be his first since announcing a memorandum of understanding focused on energy with Alberta. Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister, confirmed the virtual meeting but stated that an agenda has not yet been finalized. The most recent virtual meeting took place on November 17.
Energy Accord with Alberta
On November 27, Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a wide-ranging memorandum of understanding. In this energy accord, Ottawa agreed to abandon some of its signature climate policies. It also set conditions for the potential construction of a new oil pipeline to the West Coast. The Liberal government promoted the deal by stating that Alberta made significant environmental commitments, such as strengthening its industrial carbon price. However, these promises were not sufficient to prevent Steven Guilbeault, a lifelong environmentalist, from resigning as a cabinet member over the deal.
Incident at Israeli Border
Ontario MP Iqra Khalid reported that she was shoved multiple times by Israeli border officials while part of a delegation that was denied entry to the West Bank. The delegation, sponsored by the group The Canadian-Muslim Vote, had planned to meet with displaced Palestinians in the West Bank. Khalid stated she was pushed after trying to check on a member of the delegation who was being questioned further after the group had been at the Allenby Crossing for several hours.
New Methane Regulations
The federal government announced today that new methane regulations will apply to oil and gas producers and large landfill operators. These new rules are stricter but offer more flexibility than the previous regulations that governed emissions reduction. The objective is to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 304 megatonnes between 2028, when the regulations come into play, and 2040. According to Ottawa’s estimates, the new regulations will cost the oil and gas sector approximately $14 billion.
Other Developments
Other news includes allegations of a Canadian military intelligence officer sharing classified information with Ukraine, the need for ‘good’ money as the Bank of Canada prepares to regulate stablecoins, and Canada’s provision of $50 million for the purchase of drones and drone parts for Ukraine.
What’s Ahead?
Looking ahead, no public events are scheduled for Prime Minister Mark Carney today. No schedules have been released for party leaders. In the coming days, various ministers will be on the road for meetings, announcements, and tours.
