March 27, 2026
EDMONTON — Today, Naheed Nenshi, Leader of Alberta’s New Democrats, offered a first look at what the province’s energy sector could become under an Alberta New Democrat government.
“We’re in a time of global uncertainty, but here in Alberta, too much of that uncertainty is self‑inflicted,” said Nenshi. “It’s time to show Albertans what our energy sector can look like under strong, steady, competent leadership. It’s time to build Alberta’s energy future.”
In a video published Friday, Nenshi shared the first elements of Alberta’s New Democrats’ energy plan: Building Alberta’s Energy Future. As this work will be ongoing, the plan will evolve in consultation with partners, industry, Indigenous leaders, workers, and other stakeholders.
Under this plan, Alberta’s New Democrats will:
- Optimize the Trans Mountain Expansion to quickly add more than 300,000 barrels per day of additional capacity.
- Work with Indigenous communities and other governments on a new West Coast pipeline option, likely following the TMX right‑of‑way to British Columbia’s southern coast.
- Explore new export routes in multiple directions to meet rising global demand for Canadian energy.
- Revisit major nation‑building projects — for example, Energy East — to ensure long‑term national energy security.
- Increase natural gas export capacity to strengthen domestic energy stability and reach international markets.
- Build renewable energy hubs, reverse the UCP’s regressive renewable policies, and invest in energy storage.
- Expand electricity interties so Alberta can import power when needed and export surplus power when possible.
- Develop a world‑class critical minerals industry to create new jobs and attract long‑term investment to Alberta.
Nenshi emphasized that energy policy and affordability are directly connected.
“Families feel the consequences of energy instability every single day, on their power bills, in their heating costs, and every time they fill up at the gas pump,” said Nenshi. “When government creates chaos, Albertans pay for it. This plan is about building stability, competitiveness, and affordability into Alberta’s energy future. This is the future Albertans deserve, and it’s the future Alberta’s New Democrats are ready to deliver.”