PODCAST: Smith and Carney sign a new pipeline deal amid questions around Alberta separation and Indigenous consultation

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at two major stories from this week: the new pipeline agreement between Alberta and Ottawa as the court decision that, for now, has quashed the separatist campaign to force a referendum.We’re joined in this episode by Andrew Leach, who’s an energy and environmental economist at the University of Alberta, and holds join appointments in both the Faculties of Arts and Law.We delve into the agreement reaches between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney on carbon pricing and emissions reduction that sets the stage for a pipeline proposal to be fast tracked through the Major Projects Office. Progress on this front could go a long way in calming the political mood in Alberta.The duty to consult with First Nations, though, looms large over this project as well as the debate in Alberta around separation. We’ll also focus on the court decision that blocked the separatist petition on the basis that it potentially interferes with treaty rights. Alberta intends on appealing that decision, but what impact could that court fight have on the effort to advance the pipeline project? Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe