A significant political rift has emerged between federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over a landmark energy agreement, creating an awkward dynamic for the provincial leader and raising questions about unity on a key economic priority.
Federal Ally Undermines Provincial Achievement
The source of the tension is the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on pipeline development signed by Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney. While Smith has celebrated the pact as a critical step forward, her federal political ally, Pierre Poilievre, has publicly dismissed it as a "phoney deal." This contradiction places Smith in a difficult position, championing an agreement that her natural allies in Ottawa are actively undermining.
Political commentator Rob Breakenridge, writing in the Calgary Herald on December 16, 2025, argues that Poilievre's approach is counterproductive. While Smith's actions earlier in the year may not have aided the federal Conservative election campaign, Breakenridge contends it is incumbent upon the Opposition Leader to avoid rhetoric that could sabotage the MOU's potential success.
The Conservative Strategy and Internal Liberal Divisions
In Parliament, Conservative MPs presented a motion that focused on highlighting divisions within the governing Liberal caucus over the agreement. While pointing out this internal dissent is fair political game, Breakenridge asserts that labeling the entire deal as fraudulent is short-sighted and reckless.
This strategy contains a clear contradiction, as noted in the analysis. If the deal were truly meaningless, there would be no cause for the visible angst and disagreement within the Liberal ranks. The resignation of Steven Guilbeault from cabinet is cited as evidence of the agreement's substantive gravity, suggesting it represents a real shift in policy rather than political theatre.
Pipeline Politics and the Carbon Price Trade-Off
Poilievre has framed the choice starkly as "carbon tax, no pipeline" versus "pipeline, no carbon tax." In this narrative, Alberta has been misled into accepting a higher industrial carbon price as part of a bad-faith agreement. The Conservative leader promises to deliver energy projects without such trade-offs.
However, this framing overlooks the complex reality of energy development and the considerable public support that exists for projects like pipelines. The commentary concludes that while politicians are eager to be seen as champions of the cause, there are no shortcuts. The success of the MOU is not guaranteed and requires sustained pressure on the federal government to uphold its commitments—a role where a constructive official Opposition could be pivotal.
The current situation leaves Premier Smith awkwardly promoting a deal that her closest federal supporters are working to discredit, potentially weakening Alberta's position in a delicate negotiation process.
