Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is eyeing a number of steps to challenge the proposed federal greenhouse gas emissions cap.

A Deloitte report argued that if the cap were adopted, Alberta’s gross domestic product would drop by $191 billion between 2030 and 2040, and Canada’s overall GDP would drop by $91 billion. It also predicted the loss of 55,000 jobs across Canada and the exodus of nearly 26,000 people from Alberta.

The Alberta government is using its signature sovereignty act to again push back against Ottawa’s planned emissions cap amid mounting concerns about the potential impact of heavy cross-border tariffs proposed by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

The government of Alberta will oppose the federal carbon cap by introducing an Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act motion. According to the provincial government's announcement today, the resolution requests approval from the legislative assembly to implement several prompt and efficient measures aimed at safeguarding Alberta if the emissions cap is ever enacted.

Alberta intends to invoke legislation allowing it to defy a federally proposed cap on emissions from the energy industry in opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking to challenge the proposed federal greenhouse gas emissions cap, including by passing legislation to give the province exclusive authority over emissions data and banning federal employees from designated oil and gas sites.