<p>'The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat'. It's an old chestnut that seems apropos in the blood sport of Alberta politics.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>The victory is for the Alberta government, as it clears another hurdle in its landmark energy deal with Ottawa. The province has reached an agreement with the federal government on increasing the effective industrial carbon price to $130 per tonne by 2040. While the Pathways Project on carbon capture, utilization and storage, a potential pipeline route, and a private sector proponent are still to come, the agreement could see construction on an oil pipeline to British Columbia start as early as September 2027.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>The defeat is for Alberta separatists hoping to see a question about independence on October's referendum ballot. A judge threw out a separatist petition, ruling that Elections Alberta should not have approved it and citing a failure to consult with First Nations. Premier Danielle Smith is now facing calls to put the separation question on the ballot herself.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Kathleen Petty is joined on <em>West of Centre</em> this week by Trevor Harrison, a political sociologist at the University of Lethbridge; Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University; and Jack Farrell, an Alberta legislative reporter for The Canadian Press. &nbsp;</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Host: Kathleen Petty</li><li>Guests: Jack Farrell, Trevor Harrison, Lori Williams</li><li>Producer: Diane Yanko</li></ul><p><br></p>