Alberta and Quebec Premiers Meet to Boost Economic Ties

The premiers of Alberta and Quebec met in Quebec City on Wednesday, pledging to strengthen economic ties and explore greater provincial autonomy within Canada. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette emphasized their provinces' complementary economies and the need for a more resilient national framework amid global instability.

Speaking at a business event hosted by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, Smith outlined a vision for a stronger economic alliance. She highlighted specific sectors for collaboration, including agriculture and agrifood processing, plastics manufacturing, aerospace, defence, critical minerals, and clean energy. Smith said Alberta's agriculture sector was a perfect match for Quebec's processing industry, and that plastics from Alberta feed well into eastern manufacturing.

Smith also stressed the importance of energy cooperation, expressing hope that Quebec would develop its own natural gas reserves to reduce reliance on imports from the United States. She said Alberta is keen to collaborate on an east-west energy corridor, linking the concept to broader discussions of energy sovereignty and security. Smith...