Mark Carney offered some change. Albertans wanted more. Now what will they demand from him?

Canadians have elected a prime minister who promised to pursue energy corridors across Canada, slash project approval timelines, and boost an oilsands carbon capture project during the English leaders’ debate. However, this wasn’t the Conservative prime minister that most Albertans were hoping for.

The Liberals, under the leadership of Mark Carney, made some promises that resonated with Albertans, but it didn’t translate into significant gains for the party in the province. The Liberals came into power with only two seats in Alberta, and that’s what they’ve retained. Their minority government will require support from opposition parties to push through any legislation.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had promised to address the concerns of Alberta’s premier and oil executives by slashing Liberal regulations that were hindering the industry’s growth. However, it was Carney who emerged victorious and pledged to fast-track project assessments and create energy corridors across the country.

While Carney’s energy policies may not be as pro-pipeline as Poilievre’s, he has committed to building Canada into an energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy. He also expressed support for the oilsands carbon capture and storage project, emphasizing the importance of competitiveness in the industry.

After the election results were announced, Carney acknowledged the need to govern for all Canadians and made efforts to reach out to Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the Liberals made some gains. Despite the modest increase in Liberal representation in these provinces, some separatist voices have grown louder, calling for Alberta to have more control over its destiny.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who had openly supported Poilievre, expressed disappointment in the election outcome but stated that she would not permit the status quo to continue. She hinted at potential future actions, including discussions about the province’s future and options for strengthening and protecting Alberta against federal interference.

While the Liberals saw an increase in their popular vote share in Alberta, it was clear that many Albertans were hoping for more significant change with Poilievre. As both the prime minister and premier navigate the demands of activists and disaffected residents in the province, they will need to find ways to address the desire for more drastic changes in Alberta’s future.