Bell: Premier Danielle Smith isn't buying what Prime Minister Mark Carney is sellingon March 15, 2025 at 12:27 am

Mark Carney, the newly minted Liberal prime minister, didn’t have much of an answer Friday. Read More

’We need an election to get some clarity on just how badly he’s going to punish the oil and gas sector,’ says Premier Danielle Smith of Prime Minister Mark Carney

‘We need an election to get some clarity on just how badly he’s going to punish the oil and gas sector,’ says Premier Danielle Smith of Prime Minister Mark Carney

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks to media at Lougheed House in Calgary on January 29, 2025. Jim Wells/Postmedia file

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Mark Carney, the newly minted Liberal prime minister, didn’t have much of an answer Friday.

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In his cabinet, in his inner circle, why are there only two people representing the area from west of Thunder Bay, Ont., to the west coast?

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After all, we are all on Team Canada, aren’t we?

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There is no one from Alberta or Saskatchewan, and remember, individuals who weren’t members of Parliament have been in a prime minister’s cabinet in the past to make sure all parts of the country have a voice.

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And prime minister, you’re a finance man. You know Alberta is a big contributor to Confederation and Alberta has a big part to play in the trade war with the U.S. and President Donald Trump.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney serves up thin gruel. He is not amused.

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The newshound in Ottawa who asked the question is clearly spoiling the man’s big day.

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Carney says he has a smaller cabinet than former prime minister Justin Trudeau had. Not so small. He was able to fit in two cabinet ministers from New Brunswick alone.

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Carney tries again.

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He says there are very capable, exceptional members from western Canada. Not capable or exceptional enough to be in cabinet.

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Mark Carney federal cabinet — Mark Carney, centre-left front row, poses with his cabinet and the Right Honourable Mary Simon, centre-right front row, Governor General of Canada, during his swearing-in ceremony as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister at Rideau Hall on March 14, 2025, in Ottawa. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

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Carney switches gears and seems to be saying if you were born in western Canada that qualifies you to represent western Canada even if you live and represent somewhere else.

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Like Chrystia Freeland, who knifed Trudeau after being the former prime minister’s number two, then got trounced by Carney in the race to replace Trudeau and still gets a spot at the big kids’ table.

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Carney says Freeland lives in Toronto but she is from Alberta.

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Trust me, Chrystia Freeland couldn’t get elected in Alberta. She would probably lose by as much as she lost to you, Mr. Prime Minister.

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Then Carney turns to himself.

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“I’m prime minister of all of Canada, of course, and I’m from the West.”

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Carney grew up in Edmonton many years ago.

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So you’re from Edmonton, prime minister. Run to represent Edmonton. You would probably win. It’s Edmonton, they like Liberals.

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Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is not convinced the Liberal Carney will treat Alberta fairly.

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There are many grievances over the last decade and they go well beyond the carbon tax on consumers, a tax the Liberals took as an article of faith until their butts were on the line.

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Except for a passing mention by Carney of making Canada an energy superpower, she is not feeling any positive vibe.

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“I haven’t really seen any change that would lead me to be encouraged we’re going to have a reset in our relationship. I don’t think I’ve seen an indication there’s a change of course,” says Smith.