From Dashmesh to Dials: Smith's Calgary Tour & The New Energy Accord
The Scene: A Premier's Calgary Whirlwind
Yesterday was a busy one for Alberta's 19th Premier, Danielle Smith, as she embarked on a distinctly Calgary-centric itinerary, demonstrating her commitment to engaging with our city’s diverse communities. Her day kicked off with a visit to the Dashmesh Cultural Centre, a cornerstone of Calgary’s vibrant Sikh community since its establishment in 1987. These are the grassroots connections that remind us how policy ultimately impacts the lives of our neighbours, from Falconridge to Strathcona. Following her visit, the Premier made her way to the airwaves, joining Rishi Nagar on RED FM Calgary (CKYR-FM 106.7 FM), the multilingual station that serves as a vital voice for many South Asian Calgarians in languages like Hindi and Punjabi. It was there, on the local dial, that the conversation turned to big-picture policy: Alberta's freshly inked energy accord with Ottawa.
What's Changing: Your Wallet, Your Air, Your Future
This new energy accord, reportedly signed in late November 2025 by Premier Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney, is set to ripple through the daily lives of every Calgarian. On one hand, the deal is framed as a boost for Alberta's energy sector, aiming to increase oil exports and address emissions. However, the fine print holds significant shifts. Crucially, the federal government has committed to suspending Alberta's clean electricity rules and abandoning the national oil and gas emissions cap for our province. For you, the everyday Calgarian, this means our province foregoes over $3 billion in avoided health-care costs that would have been realized if those regulations were fully implemented. That's a direct hit to potential health system improvements that could affect wait times and services right here in our city. On the flip side, Alberta has agreed to raise its industrial carbon price from $95 to a minimum of $130 a tonne, a cost that industrial players will undoubtedly factor into their operations, potentially impacting everything from product prices to job stability in energy-reliant sectors. The accord also paves the way for a new one-million-barrel-per-day bitumen pipeline to the British Columbia coast, with the intriguing possibility of Indigenous co-ownership, promising jobs and economic activity, but also bringing renewed debate about environmental stewardship to the forefront of our provincial discourse.
The Neighborhood Vibe: A Divided Street
The ink on this energy accord is barely dry, yet its impact is already creating a palpable buzz, dividing opinion from the coffee shops of Kensington to the community halls of Ward 11. The news that federal commitments include suspending crucial clean electricity regulations and abandoning national oil and gas emissions caps for Alberta has not been met with universal acclaim. Former Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault notably resigned from cabinet over the deal, vehemently calling it a "policy betrayal on clean electricity" and urging Ottawa to enforce federal law when provinces diverge on climate change. This push-and-pull highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental responsibility that Calgarians grapple with. While some see the accord as a necessary step for economic stability and growth, others are deeply concerned about the long-term environmental costs and the potential impact on public health. These are the conversations shaping our community, echoing from the Dashmesh Cultural Centre’s discussions to the phone-in lines at RED FM.
Looking Ahead: Deerfoot to The Bow, What's Next?
So, what does this all mean for the average Calgarian navigating Deerfoot Trail or gazing at The Bow building? This energy accord represents a complex trade-off. While it may promise a clearer path for our energy industry and potentially new economic opportunities – including the possibility of Indigenous co-ownership in a major pipeline project – it also raises serious questions about our environmental trajectory and the long-term health implications of foregoing cleaner energy pathways. As Hot Minute Calgary, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how these sweeping policy changes, discussed from community gatherings to local radio studios, translate into concrete impacts on your daily life, your job, and the air you breathe in this city we all call home.
