Alberta premier, environment minister challenge yet to be tabled federal 'just transition bill'

Alberta's premier and environment minister are taking aim at the federal government's intention to create a 'just transition bill' to help any displaced energy workers find new jobs in a net-zero future.

Alberta's premier and environment minister are taking aim at the federal government's intention to create a 'just transition bill' to help any displaced energy workers find new jobs in a net-zero future.

First promised by the federal Liberal party in 2019, the "just transition legislation" pledge at the time included ensuring energy workers and communities involved in the oil and gas sector have a future in green energy as Canada moves to reduce emissions.

Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans are "not interested" in having the largest industry in the province be "phased out of existence."

"The prime minister wants to phase out the workforce for the largest industry in Alberta and hasn't bothered with getting Alberta's input," Smith said. "We have had no consultation, no discussion."

"Oil and gas — and its thousands of by-products — will be a part of the global economy for decades, and Albertans own one of the largest reserves of it on the planet.

"Albertans, not Ottawa, will manage and diversity [sic] our resource sector how Albertans see fit," the premier added.

Last election, the Liberal platform said on top of a just transition bill, a re-elected government would create a $2 billion futures fund to help provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan "grow new job opportunities" in green energy.