A war of words between Alberta and Ottawa: What does 'just transition' actually mean?

A yet-to-be-tabled bill that Canada's energy minister says will help support workers seeking to make a transition to new jobs in a lower-carbon future has created a war of words between Ottawa and Alberta. But what does a 'just transition' actually mean?

A yet-to-be-tabled bill that Canada's energy minister says will help support workers seeking to make a transition to new jobs in a lower-carbon future has created a war of words between Ottawa and Alberta. But what does a 'just transition' actually mean?

On Tuesday, Alberta's Environment Minister Sonya Savage criticized Ottawa's intentions to create a 'just transition' bill in the new year, with the premier saying Albertans are "not interested" in having the largest industry in the province "phased out of existence."

Jonathan Wilkinson, federal minister of natural resources, told CTV News Edmonton that the bill is not job-killing as Premier Danielle Smith characterized, but the "opposite of that."

"This is really about looking forward to a future which will involve a transition to a lower-carbon economy and trying to ensure that every region of this country has an economic strategy that will result in good jobs and economic development and prosperity," Wilkinson explained.

While the term 'just transition' has international recognition, Wilkinson said he preferred referring to the Liberal's proposal as a sustainable energy work plan.

"We want to assure workers and communities that we are going to be there to actually ensure that as things evolve, that we are going to be there to support them and to work to ensure they have a prosperous and secure future," he said.

Wilkinson says the legislation would largely be "principle-based," with an action plan summarizing existing supports available and future programs to help workers and communities that would be developed with provinces and territories.