Danielle Smith addresses 'just transition' concerns with prime minister in Ottawa

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her concerns with the federal government's proposed 'just transition' legislation directly to the prime minister on Tuesday, saying she hopes the two can find some common ground.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her concerns with the federal government's proposed  'just transition' legislation directly to the prime minister on Tuesday, saying she hopes the two can find some common ground.

Smith previously voiced her apprehensions with the yet-to-be-tabled legislation in a public letter to Justin Trudeau, in which she said the world needs "more energy, not less."

The office of the premier says Smith met with Trudeau for approximately 30 minutes on Tuesday, primarily to discuss Alberta's request that the federal government halt its introduction of the legislation and other emission reduction strategies.

"I did write a letter to the prime minister a couple of weeks ago, expressing concern about some of the major initiatives that have been announced without much consultation with Alberta that stand to have a huge impact on our province," said Smith while speaking to media alongside Trudeau.

"The 'just transition' legislation gives the impression that the energy sector is going to be phased out. It's not going to be phased out."

Smith said she does think the two have some "shared priorities."

"LNG export to reduce emissions using the green transfer mechanism to get credit here, that will also help British Columbia. Working on critical minerals, hydrogens, geothermal … I think there is a lot of opportunity for us to find some common ground,” she said.