Alberta's Environment Minister Grant Hunter has sharply criticized the federal Liberal government's new conservation plan, accusing Ottawa of imposing far-reaching policies without consultation or understanding of the province's unique landscape and economy.
Federal Nature Strategy Sparks Conflict
In late March, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government unveiled a $3.8-billion Nature Strategy aimed at meeting the 30-by-30 conservation target, which seeks to protect 30 percent of Canada's land and water by 2030. The plan was announced by Toronto Liberal Julie Dabrusin, who replaced former environment minister Steven Guilbeault, a ex-Greenpeace activist long at odds with Alberta's oil and gas sector.
Hunter learned of the initiative through a brief text from Dabrusin stating, "We're excited about rolling out the 30-by-30 plan and look forward to your feedback." There was no prior consultation, no recognition of provincial jurisdiction over land and resource management.
Alberta's Response
On April 7, Hunter issued a pointed public statement. "Federal reporting measures do not capture the full picture," it read, "focusing on narrow definitions of protected land while excluding broader actively managed landscapes and only recognizing lands permanently dedicated to biodiversity conservation."
Hunter argues Alberta already surpasses the spirit of 30-by-30. Nearly 60 percent of the province—roughly 40 million hectares of Crown land—is actively managed and conserved. This includes 16 percent in parks and conservation areas, 15 percent in the Rockies and foothills, and about four percent in working landscapes like low-impact cattle grazing leases.
"It's pretty stringent what they're putting forward," Hunter said, "for them not to recognize our farmers and ranchers, who have been stewards of the land—probably the best stewards you'll ever find."
Economic Concerns
Before taking on the environment portfolio, Hunter served as Alberta's first associate minister of red tape reduction, earning the province an A grade from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business by 2021. He warns that Ottawa's rigid approach could sterilize Alberta's ability to respond to critical mineral demands, energy needs, or economic shocks. A recent Financial Times headline declared, "Canada's Red Tape Is Worse Than Trump Tariffs."
"We are fighting with each other about who owns the land, who owns the rights to the water, which group has precedence over that group," Hunter said. "Meanwhile, we're getting our butts kicked by the Americans."
Hunter emphasized that the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa should be an equal co-partnership, not a parent-child dynamic. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over resource management and federal overreach, with Alberta insisting on recognition of its stewardship and economic realities.
