[ad_1]
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was quick to draw a line in the sand as the federal government tabled its rebranded ‘just transition’ legislation.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
In a statement the premier released on Thursday, she reasserted provincial constitutional rights on resource development as well as Alberta’s own Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan, which targets a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The provincial plan will target investment in emissions reduction technologies and increased export of LNG to replace higher-emitting fuels internationally.
The tabled sustainable jobs act sets out to build the framework to retrain or transition workers to a greener economy.
“Alberta will not recognize, co-operate with or enforce any attempt to phase out our province’s oil and gas industry or its workforce,” said Smith in her emailed statement. “This is non-negotiable.”
The federal legislation, which has yet to pass through the House of Commons, is supported by the NDP, but is light on details regarding how the transition will occur. It is similar to previously tabled legislation; however, it sets out parameters for the creation of a sustainable jobs partnership council to provide independent advice on sustainable job creation.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
It also will require an action plan every five years, beginning in 2025, to put measures in place to invest in the net-zero emissions economy and skills.
It is using the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act as a blueprint for structures, guidelines and accountability mechanisms.
‘It is necessary’: Feds looking to the future
Natural Resource Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said this is not about shutting down the oil and gas sector, but noted that it will only survive if it massively invests in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the sector.
Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan insisted Alberta oil workers will be well employed into the future.
“What we’re talking about here is making sure that workers aren’t left behind, but they are in fact, in the driver’s seat,” he said. “That’s what we want to have happen here. And that’s extremely important because it is necessary.”
They insisted Alberta’s oilpatch workers will be able to transition their skills or be retrained for a new economy.
Important not to leave anyone behind: economist
Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist for Alberta Central, said on the surface it sounds good. The devil, however, will be in the details and that part is missing.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“The problem and the question I have is, ‘How is it gonna look in practice?’” he said. “There’s a lot of questions in terms of feasibility. And it’s always been that issue when we have big structural change to an economy … We need to be careful not to have anyone falling between the cracks and falling behind. And it’s all in the execution.”
Recommended from Editorial
St-Arnaud said important questions remain around sustaining current livelihoods with similar high-paying careers, the ability to transition older workers in the new economy and what it will look like in different regions — even within Alberta.
He added oil production will need to remain at its current level for the next 10 to 20 years. He also underscored the risk of falling behind other jurisdictions when it comes to securing critical green energy projects.
‘Good day’: AFL president praises inclusion of labour unions
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, called this a “good day” because of the seat labour unions will have in the sustainable jobs partnership council.
“It acknowledges that workers, Indigenous people and other members of civil society have an important stake in the outcome of big economic decisions — and it says ordinary citizens deserve to have a say in those decisions,” he said in an emailed statement.
He said the energy transition is not coming; it’s already here. The bill is about “preparing us for a future that’s going to look different than our past.”
According to Careers in Energy, a division of Energy Safety Canada, Canada’s oil and gas industry employed about 167,700 workers this past May, 123,384 of which are in Alberta. This is down from the provincial high of 170,268 in September of 2014.
Province missing an opportunity, says Alberta NDP
Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley said in a press release that the provincial government is missing an opportunity to be at the table to fight for Alberta by picking a fight with Ottawa and going in their own direction.
“Alberta can continue to be a global energy leader for decades to come, but we need the provincial government working with industry and other levels of government in the interests of Albertans,” she said in the statement. “There are billions of dollars in investment looking for decarbonization opportunities; Alberta must create the stability and certainty to capitalize on that investment.”
Smith will be meeting with Wilkinson and other federal ministers on Monday to discuss the energy transition.
— With files by The Canadian Press
[ad_2]
Source link