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[1/3] People embrace as they stand near damage to a road, after the heaviest rain to hit the Atlantic Canadian province of Nova Scotia in more than 50 years triggered floods, in Ellershouse, West Hants Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada July 23, 2023. REUTERS/John Morris/File PhotoOTTAWA, July 24 (Reuters) - Two of the four people missing after floods ripped through the Canadian Atlantic province of Nova Scotia over the weekend are dead, Premier Tim Houston said on Monday. The floods washed away roads, swamped buildings and damaged bridges and a Canadian National Railway (CNR.TO) track connecting with Halifax, Canada's fourth-largest port. Canadian National has already restored much of the damaged infrastructure, but some repairs will be delayed until the flood waters recede, company spokesman Scott Brown said. "With supply chains the reality is the longer the disruption lasts, the more severe the impact is," he said by phone.

Persons: John Morris, Tim Houston, Houston, Scott Brown, Lane Farguson, Farguson, David Ljunggren, Nia Williams, Aurora Ellis, Grant McCool Organizations: Atlantic, Ellershouse , West, Ellershouse , West Hants Regional, REUTERS, OTTAWA, Canadian, Monday, Police, Canadian National Railway, Canada's, Canadian National, U.S . Midwest, Thomson Locations: Atlantic Canadian, of Nova Scotia, Ellershouse ,, Ellershouse , West Hants, Ellershouse , West Hants Regional Municipality , Nova Scotia, Canada, Canadian Atlantic, Halifax, Europe, Asia, Ottawa, British Columbia

☆ Canada releases framework to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

July 24 (Reuters) - Canada on Monday released a framework for eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, making it the first G20 country to deliver on a 2009 commitment to rationalise and phase out government support for the sector. Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies is part of a deal signed between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal and the New Democratic Party (NDP), formalising NDP support. Climate campaigners Environmental Defence also criticised the framework for not applying to public financing of fossil fuel projects through government-owned crown corporations, such the loan guarantees for the C$30.9 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Ottawa plans to release a framework to phase out public financing of fossil fuel projects within the next year. "The Government of Canada must quickly take the final step and end all fossil financing – without any loopholes for fossil gas, fossil hydrogen or CCS," Environmental Defence program manager Julia Levin said in a statement.

Persons: Steven Guilbeault, Justin Trudeau's, Laurel Collins, Collins, Laura Cameron, Julia Levin, Nia Williams, Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool Organizations: Monday, Liberal, New Democratic Party, NDP, International Institute of Sustainable Development, Trade, Pathways Alliance, CCS, Environmental Defence, Thomson Locations: Canada, Ottawa, Alberta, British Columbia

☆ Nova Scotia wrestles with aftermath of devastating floods
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Water flows through a washed-out culvert on the main CN Rail line which leads to the port of Halifax, after the heaviest rain to hit the Atlantic Canadian province of Nova Scotia in more than 50 years triggered floods, in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada July 23, 2023. Nigel Gloade/Millbrook First... Read moreJuly 23 (Reuters) - The Atlantic Canada province of Nova Scotia began cleaning up on Sunday after torrential rainfall caused devastating flooding, while the search continued for four people including two children who went missing during the deluge. CBC meterologist Ryan Snoddon said it was the most rain to hit the provincial capital Halifax since Hurricane Beth in 1971. The resulting floods washed away roads, weakened bridges and swamped buildings, in what Nova Scotia premier Tim Houston described as "unimaginable damage"Nova Scotia declared a province-wide state of emergency late on Saturday night that will last until Aug. 5. Nova Scotia Power's outage map showed just over 5,000 customers were without electricity on Sunday, down from around 80,000 at the height of the storms.

Persons: Nigel Gloade, Read, CBC meterologist Ryan Snoddon, Hurricane Beth, Tim Houston, Nia Williams, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Atlantic, CBC, Hurricane, Nova, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Thomson Locations: Halifax, Atlantic Canadian, of Nova Scotia, Truro , Nova Scotia, Canada, Millbrook, Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia, British Columbia

REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File PhotoVANCOUVER, July 19 (Reuters) - Striking dock workers on Canada's Pacific coast on Wednesday issued a new 72-hour walkout notice just hours after a federal watchdog ruled their current stoppage was illegal. Amid mounting calls for resolute government action to end the strike, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened a meeting of the Incident Response Group. Some 7,500 dock workers have been picketing the two ports almost non-stop since July 1. Its leader, Jagmeet Singh, ruled out support for a law to end the strike. That means Trudeau would need the votes of the Conservatives, who have been trying to court workers and unions, or the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Justin Trudeau, Trudeau, Prince Rupert, Omar Alghabra, David Eby, Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh, Steve Scherer, Ismail Shakil, David Ljunggren, Nia Williams, Chris Reese, Jonathan Oatis, Daniel Wallis, Leslie Adler Organizations: International, Warehouse Union, REUTERS, VANCOUVER, Minister's, Canada Industrial Relations, Reuters, Canadian Manufacturers, Ministers, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, New Democratic Party, NDP, Conservative Party, Conservatives, Bloc Quebecois, Liberal, Thomson, & ' $ Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver, Ottawa, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia

HOUSTON, July 10 (Reuters) - A coming wave of North American liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects faces staffing challenges that are prompting some of the biggest developers to expand training and coordinate projects to keep construction workers. WORKERS NEEDEDAt present Bechtel has more than 3,000 professionals working on its LNG projects. Two other projects - Golden Pass LNG and Plaquemines LNG - have added workers and are moving to 24-hour work schedules. Cheniere and Bechtel are training workers using virtual simulations or via partnerships with local schools. Venture Global LNG stitched together 18 liquefaction units in its highly modular Calcasieu Pass LNG plant, allowing it to open the facility in what it said was record time.

Persons: Paul Marsden, Marsden, Alex Munton, Bechtel, Corey Grindal, Grindal, Cheniere, Jason Klein, Klein, Paul Varello, Curtis Williams, Nia Williams, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Bechtel Corp's Energy, Labor, Rapidan Energy, Bechtel, Cheniere Energy, Corpus, Plaquemines, Canada, Reuters, Commonwealth LNG, Venture, Columbia, Thomson Locations: U.S, Port Arthur, Christi, Kitimat, British Columbia, China, Calcasieu, Houston

☆ Canada's Trudeau and Alberta Premier Smith look for agreement on climate policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meet as the annual Calgary Stampede rodeo, exhibition and festival kicks off in Calgary, Alberta, Canada July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Todd KorolJuly 7 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Friday said they hoped to find agreement on climate and energy policies that have been a sore point between the federal government and the largest oil-producing province. Trudeau was visiting Canada's oil capital Calgary at the start of the city's annual Stampede event, a 10-day celebration of rodeo and western cowboy culture. The Liberal Prime Minister and United Conservative Party leader Smith have clashed over federal climate policies including a proposed oil and gas emissions cap and clean electricity regulations. But I can say there's been a really positive and constructive working relationship between our ministers and our folks from the very beginning," Trudeau said.

Persons: Danielle Smith, Justin Trudeau, Todd Korol, Trudeau, Smith, " Trudeau, Nia Williams, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Alberta, Canadian, Calgary Stampede, REUTERS, Liberal, United Conservative Party, Ottawa, Paris Climate, Thomson Locations: Calgary , Alberta, Canada, Calgary, Alberta, Paris

☆ Trans Mountain pipeline expansion likely to send more Canadian oil to US, not Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Western sanctions on Russian crude following its invasion of Ukraine have upended those plans. Canadian barrels will struggle to compete, analysts and traders said. Chinese oil refiners PetroChina (601857.SS) and Sinopec (600028.SS) have bought and processed Canadian heavy crude in the past. Russia's Urals crude produces higher volumes of fuel and is significantly cheaper than heavy Canadian barrels, said one Calgary-based crude trader. "Today every crude in Asia is having a hard time competing with Russian crude," York said.

Persons: crudes, TMX, John Coleman, Wood Mackenzie, Skip York, York, Nia Williams, Florence Tan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S ., Canadian, Sinclair, Puget Sound, U.S . Energy, Administration, Turner, Mason & Company, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S . West Coast, Asia, Ukraine, Canada, United States, Russia, Alberta, British, Pacific Coast, North America, China, India, Calgary, Canadian, Iraq, California, York, Moscow, Basra, British Columbia, Singapore

☆ As Canada's wildfires intensify, recruiting firefighters is tougher
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That's roughly 2,500 firefighters short of what is needed, said Mike Flannigan, a professor at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia and wildfire specialist. "It's hard work, it's hot work, it's smoky work, and there are real issues with health impacts longer-term," Flannigan said. Applications were down in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, and Alberta had to do several rounds of recruitment to fill its ranks, officials said. As more wildfires threaten communities, provincial agencies are also increasingly leaning on structural firefighters to help protect homes. Since 2009, Canada has been spending more on fighting and suppressing wildfires than on maintaining its firefighting personnel and program.

Persons: Mike Flannigan, Flannigan, Scott Tingley, Rob Schweitzer, Ken McMullen, David Ljunggren, Ismail Shakil, Denny Thomas, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Reuters, Thompson Rivers University, Nova, Wildfire, BC Wildfire Service, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Emergency Preparedness, Thomson Locations: BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada, Yukon, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Canada's, Manitoba, Lithuania, Quebec, Ottawa

NEW YORK, June 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub have risen to their highest in two years, as outages at Midwestern refiners crimp demand and higher flows from Canada add to supply. Stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery point for U.S. crude oil futures, have climbed for eight consecutive weeks after falling earlier this year. Overseas demand for U.S. crude and an end to refinery outages should reverse the build, said analysts. "We're going to be sending more (oil exported) abroad," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. Canadian crude may have been sent toward Cushing as feedstock for a restart of the Toledo refinery, which had a fire last year, said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst for the Americas at Kpler.

Persons: Phil Flynn, Hillary Stevenson, Cushing, Stevenson, Enbridge, Flanagan, John Coleman, Wood Mackenzie, Matt Smith, Stephanie Kelly, Nia Williams, Arathy, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: YORK, Cushing, Price Futures, Energy, IIR Energy, BP, Phillips, North, Americas, Kpler, Thomson Locations: Oklahoma, Canada, Cushing, U.S, Toledo, Ohio, Texas, Wood

Companies NK Rosneft' PAO FollowJune 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday as questions over China's economy outweighed OPEC+ output cuts and the seventh straight drop in the number of oil and gas rigs operating in the United States. "(China's) economy is navigating through powerful headwinds," said PVM oil analyst Tamas Varga. In recent weeks global road traffic has been declining, said Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's senior vice president, which may also point to slowing growth and drag on oil prices. Iran's crude exports and oil output have hit record highs in 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants, shipping data and a source close to the matter, adding to global supply when other producers are limiting output. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia this month agreed on a new oil output deal and the group's biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, also pledged to make a deep cut to its output in July.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga, Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's, Leon, Nia Williams, Ahmad Ghaddar, Katya Golubkova, Emily Chow, David Goodman, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: NK Rosneft, West Texas, of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, China, Europe, Russia, Saudi Arabia, British Columbia, London, Tokyo, Singapore

OTTAWA, June 15 (Reuters) - At least 15 people were killed in the Canadian prairie province of Manitoba on Thursday after a semi-trailer truck hit a small bus that was carrying a group of mainly elderly people, police said. The crash occurred at the junction of two major roads near the town of Carberry in southwestern Manitoba, 170 km (105 miles) west of Winnipeg. The bus passengers had been on their way to a casino in Carberry, CBC News reported, citing a casino spokesperson. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Police secures the area at the crash scene near Carberry, Manitoba, Canada June 15, 2023 in this still image obtained from a social media video. "My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry," Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said on Twitter.

Persons: We've, Rob Hill, Hill, Mike Blume, Justin Trudeau, Heather Stefanson, David Ljunggren, Ismail Shakil, Nia Williams, Sandra Maler, Matthew Lewis, Grant McCool Organizations: OTTAWA, CBC News, Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Police, REUTERS Media, Handi, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Winnipeg Free Press, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Manitoba, Carberry, Winnipeg, Canada, Carberry , Manitoba, tarpaulins, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ottawa, British Columbia

BRITISH COLUMBIA/OTTAWA, June 9 (Reuters) - Wildfires spread in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on Friday, while hundreds of fires continued to burn on the other side of the country in Quebec, sending wildfire smoke billowing across North American cities. Around 2,500 people were told to evacuate the community of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia on Thursday afternoon. Temperatures in parts of British Columbia soared to more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) this week, nearly 10 degrees above the seasonal average. [1/2] Smoke rises from a wildfire in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in this screen grab taken from a video, June 8, 2023. Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Albertans, François Legault, Nia Williams, Stephen Coates Organizations: British Columbia, BC Wildlife Service, REUTERS, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire, Thomson Locations: BRITISH COLUMBIA, OTTAWA, Canadian, British, Quebec, North, Tumbler, British Columbia, Peace, Alberta, Ridge, Canada, United States, Ottawa, Toronto , New York, Washington, Ontario, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, U.S

Around 2,500 people were told to evacuate the community of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia on Thursday. A video distributed by the British Columbia fire service showed deserted streets in Tumbler Ridge, while nearby forests were ablaze. Smoke rises from a wildfire in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in this screen grab taken from a video, June 8, 2023. Temperatures in parts of British Columbia soared to more than 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) this week, nearly 10 C above the seasonal average. Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa, Nia Williams in British Columbia and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Stephen Coates, Jane Merriman, Chris Reese and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Darcy Dober, Maite Blanchette Vezina, Gerald Cheng, Hicham Ayoun, Ismail Shakil, Nia Williams, Allison Lampert, Stephen Coates, Jane Merriman, Chris Reese, Frances Kerry Organizations: OTTAWA, British Columbia, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, BC Wildlife Service, REUTERS, Environment, Transport Canada, Thomson Locations: Canadian, British, Quebec, North, Canada, Tumbler, British Columbia, Dawson Creek, Ridge, Ontario, Environment Canada, Alberta, Ottawa, Toronto , New York, Washington, New York, Montreal

☆ Wildfires burn across Canada with little relief in sight
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 8 (Reuters) - Forest fires continued to burn across Canada on Thursday as the country endured its worst-ever start to wildfire season, forcing thousands of people from their homes and sending a smoky haze billowing across U.S. cities. Hundreds of U.S. firefighters arrived in Canada to help and more were on their way. "These fires are affecting everyday routines, lives and livelihoods, and our air quality," Trudeau said on Twitter. Smoke-forecasting website BlueSky Canada showed wildfire smoke spreading across much of the country on Thursday. Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bill Blair, Justin Trudeau, Trudeau, Rob Schweitzer, Nia Williams, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Twitter, BC, Thomson Locations: Canada, U.S, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Pacific, British Columbia, Ottawa, Toronto, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, United States, New York

REUTERS/Blair GableOTTAWA, June 7 (Reuters) - Hundreds of uncontrolled forest fires blazed across Canada on Wednesday, threatening critical infrastructure, forcing evacuations and sending a blanket of smoky air wafting over U.S. cities. Quebec Premier Francois Legault earlier said the province was able to fight 40 fires at the same time. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden by phone on Wednesday to thank him for "critical support" in tackling the blazes. These fires are affecting everyday routines, lives and livelihoods, and our air quality," Trudeau said in a statement on Twitter. We will be facing more and more extreme weather events that will cost us a lot more," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the briefing.

Persons: Blair Gable OTTAWA, Bill Blair, Blair, Quebec Premier Francois Legault, Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden, Trudeau, Legault, Ismail Shakil, David Ljunggren, Nia Williams, Deepa Babington, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Quebec Premier, Canadian, U.S, Twitter, Residents, Thomson Locations: Centennial, Township, Greater Madawaska , Ontario, Canada, Quebec, U.S, New Brunswick, France, United States, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Chibougamau, Ontario, Canada's, Ottawa, Toronto, British Columbia

☆ Exclusive: Canada's TC Energy laying off staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 6 (Reuters) - Canada's TC Energy (TRP.TO) is cutting some jobs to "optimize value" a company spokesperson said on Tuesday, without giving details of how many positions have been impacted. News of the job cuts at TC Energy comes a week after Suncor Energy (SU.TO) told employees it would eliminate 1,500 jobs. Earlier this year, Imperial Oil IMO.TO cut the number of contractors working at its Kearl oil sands project. TC Energy said the company continually reviews its operations and as the business evolves some positions are reduced. "These decisions are difficult but necessary to optimize the value for our business," a TC Energy spokesperson said in an email.

Persons: Rich Kruger, Nia Williams, Denny Thomas, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Canada's TC Energy, TC Energy, Suncor Energy, Imperial, Keystone, Thomson Locations: Calgary, Suncor, North America

☆ Nova Scotia: Why are wildfires raging in Canada's eastern province?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Smoke rises from a wildfire in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 28, 2023 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. HOW UNUSUAL ARE WILDFIRES IN NOVA SCOTIA? Atlantic Canada received low snowfall this winter, followed by an exceptionally dry spring. Weather forecasts show a period of cooler, wetter air is moving into Atlantic Canada on Friday, providing much-needed relief. The Weather Network's longer-term forecast expects Nova Scotia temperatures to be slightly warmer than normal for the rest of the summer.

Persons: Bill Blair, Michael Carter, Ellen Whitman, Whitman, Nia Williams, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Public Safety, Atlantic Canada, Halifax, Weather Network, Canadian Forest Service, Atlantic, Thomson Locations: Hammonds Plains , Nova Scotia, Canada, Nova Scotia, Nova, Acadian, Nova Scotia's, Halifax, Hurricane, Atlantic Canada, North America

☆ Explainer: Why are wildfires raging in Canada's eastern Nova Scotia province?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

OTTAWA, June 1 (Reuters) - The Canadian government is backing up to C$3 billion ($2.24 billion) in loans for Trans Mountain Corp (TMC), the crown corporation building an over-budget and long-delayed oil pipeline expansion to Canada's Pacific Coast. Last year Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, which bought the Trans Mountain pipeline in 2018 to ensure the expansion project got built, provided a C$10 billion loan guarantee to TMC. The Trans Mountain Expansion will nearly triple the flow of crude from Alberta's oil sands to Burnaby, British Columbia, to 890,000 barrels per day and is intended to boost access to Asian refining markets. Finance Ministry spokeswoman Marie-France Faucher said the loan guarantee was "common practice" and did not reflect any new public spending. TMC is paying a fee to the government for the loan guarantee, she said.

Persons: Justin Trudeau's, Chrystia Freeland, Marie, France Faucher, Faucher, Stephen Ellis, Keith Stewart, Ismail Shakil, Nia Williams, Daniel Wallis, Richard Chang Organizations: OTTAWA, Canadian, Trans Mountain Corp, Export Development, Liberal, TMC, Finance, Morningstar, Greenpeace Canada, Thomson Locations: Coast, Burnaby , British Columbia, France

Companies Equinor ASA FollowBp Plc FollowWINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 31 (Reuters) - Norway's Equinor ASA (EQNR.OL) said on Wednesday that it will postpone its Bay du Nord Canadian offshore oil project for up to three years, due to rising costs. Ottawa backed Bay du Nord saying that it would produce relatively low emissions. "Bay du Nord is an important project for Equinor. "The (Bay du Nord) economics are positive but if you play around with costs and risk more, it's not going to be the best opportunity in their portfolio," he said. Bay du Nord would be so far from shore - 500 kilometers (311 miles) - that it falls in international waters.

Persons: Justin Trudeau's, ”, Trond Bokn, Equinor's, Equinor, Newfoundland & Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, it's, Mark Oberstoetter, Wood Mackenzie, Rod Nickel, Nia Williams, Marguerita Choy Organizations: ASA, Bp, Equinor ASA, Ottawa, Newfoundland & Labrador Premier, BP, Wood, Sierra Club Canada, Columbia, Thomson Locations: WINNIPEG , Manitoba, du Nord Canadian, Bay, Nord, Newfoundland, Norway, Brazil, Winnipeg , Manitoba

May 29 (Reuters) - United Conservative Party (UCP) leader Danielle Smith's election victory in Canada's main oil-producing province Alberta on Monday is likely to herald further friction with Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, particularly over climate change. The populist premier's win signals a further rightward shift in the traditionally conservative province, and comes despite a series of controversies and gaffes from Smith, 52, since she first became premier in October. In her victory speech, Smith was quick to take aim at Trudeau and what she described as the federal government's "harmful policies". "As premier I cannot under any circumstances allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans. In early 2022 she announced plans to run for leadership of the United Conservative Party, which was born in 2017 from a merger of the Progressives Conservatives and Wildrose Party.

[1/2] Danielle Smith of the United Conservative Party (UCP) gestures during her party's provincial election night party after a projected win in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 29, 2023. Smith, leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP), defeated left-leaning New Democratic Party leader Rachel Notley on Monday, and immediately targeted Trudeau, threatening the country's ambitious climate goals. Some analysts have said deep emissions cuts are not possible without reducing oil production, which Smith fiercely opposes. "As premier I cannot under any circumstances allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans." "One of the challenges is there is a political class in Alberta that has decided that anything to do with climate change is going to be bad for them or for Alberta," Trudeau told Reuters in a January interview.

☆ Alberta heads to the polls with Canada's green agenda in balance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks during the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada March 23, 2023. The battle between populist Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party (UCP), which is seeking a second consecutive term, and Rachel Notley's left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) is expected to be extremely close, pollsters say, even though Alberta is traditionally a conservative bastion. Alberta is Canada's highest-emitting province, largely due to vast oil sands operations in the northern boreal forest and produces 80% of the country's 4.9 million barrels per day of crude oil. She held another major rally in NDP stronghold and Alberta capital Edmonton on Sunday. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time and the result is expected to be called late Monday night.

☆ Factbox: Biggest issues in Canadian province of Alberta's May 29 election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Below are the main issues in the election:HEALTHCAREIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare has become a big issue in Alberta. The UCP last month committed to keeping Alberta's publicly-funded healthcare system, contrasting with comments previously made by Smith about dismantling universal healthcare paid for by taxpayers. The UCP has pledged to lower taxes by creating a new 8% tax bracket on income under C$60,000 ($44,033.47). ENERGY AND CLIMATEBoth the UCP and NDP are supportive of the energy sector, recognising it as Alberta's main economic engine. ($1 = 1.3626 Canadian dollars)Reporting by Nia Williams; Editing by Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cooler temperatures offer temporary reprieve for Alberta wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 9 (Reuters) - Wildfires in Canada's main oil-producing province Alberta eased on Tuesday thanks to cooler weather, but thousands of people remained under evacuation orders and officials warned temperatures were expected to rise in coming days. The wildfires also forced oil and gas producers to shut in at least 319,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), or 3.7% of the country's production. Officials said firefighters had made progress in southern and central Alberta where cooler temperatures and higher humidity slowed the blazes. The fire danger remains high in many parts of northern Alberta and the province is forecast to have high temperatures return by the end of this week. "We are not expecting the kind of winds we saw last week ... but certainly we are not taking it for granted," said Christie Tucker, information unit manager for Alberta Wildfire.

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