Alberta wants guaranteed seats on the proposed Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council
The federal government should allow Alberta to appoint members to a new sustainable jobs advisory board, says the province’s energy and minerals minister.
Secretary Brian Jean, who represents Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche in the heart of the county’s oil sands, says the federal government introduced legislation on Thursday that will have a disproportionate effect on the county — and that should warrant more input.
Bill C-50 enables legislation that introduces bureaucratic structures and requirements to help the government adhere to a plan to shift more workers to industries with lower greenhouse gas emissions. It is part of a series of measures to help Canada meet its climate goals and meet international obligations.
While federal ministers have insisted that the sustainable jobs law falls entirely within federal jurisdiction, Jean disputes this because of the effect it could have on Alberta employment.
“Limiting growth capacity in the jobs sector, in the natural resources sector – these are things that are entirely under provincial jurisdiction, not federal jurisdiction, and they know it,” he said in an interview Thursday.
He predicted that leaders of other affected provinces, such as Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador, would share his concerns.
If the bill passes, the federal government would have to produce an action plan for sustainable job creation every five years.
It should also report publicly on progress in meeting the objectives in those plans.
Look | Mixed reactions to sustainable jobs plan:
On Thursday, Ottawa unveiled legislation for its Sustainable Jobs Plan. The news caused a stir in Alberta and received mixed reviews from lawyers, politicians and energy workers.
The bill would force the government to create an independent partnership council of up to 15 members representing labor groups, indigenous peoples and industries. That council would advise the Minister of Natural Resources and the federal government on the transition to a zero-emission economy.
While nothing requires the minister to appoint a council representative from Alberta, the bill says the minister must consider regional representation.
Alberta questions the council’s legitimacy
In a statement, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the council’s recommendations must be consistent with Alberta’s emissions reduction and energy development plan or her government will view the advice as legitimate.
“If it’s going to encroach on or cross the road into our jurisdiction, we’re going to push them back. And that means by any means necessary,” Jean said.
The provincial emission reduction plan, released in April, aims for the province to be climate neutral by 2050.
It relies heavily on carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) emissions and liquefied natural gas exports to meet that goal.
It’s an approach that critics fear will be hard to scale up to the extent necessary unless the oil industry can substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Jean did not say whether pushing back Ottawa’s alleged raids would involve a constitutional challenge, or using the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act.
The Smith administration passed the Sovereignty Bill last fall. It allows an MLA to introduce a motion directing the government not to enforce an aspect of federal law or policy in the county that they deem harmful or unconstitutional.
Earlier Thursday, federal ministers in Ottawa tried to allay fears that the sustainable jobs legislation would harm workers or cause economic pain.
Canada must act now to adapt to an economy that is less dependent on carbon, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said.
“Canada can choose to be a leader in the context of moving forward, or we can effectively bury our heads in the sand and decide that we’re going to let the world pass us by,” he said. “Going slower and just hoping for the best is a choice, but it’s a much riskier choice.”
Edmonton’s Liberal MP and Federal Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault said getting Alberta to invest more in CCUS to reduce emissions is essential.
Smith had previously written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that if his administration introduced sustainable jobs legislation without her province’s approval, Alberta would not participate in CCUS incentives.
While Jean said he was disappointed with the Liberals’ lack of consultation with Alberta on the bill, he said the province will still look for CCUS partnership opportunities with the FBI.
Smith and Jean will meet with Wilkinson and other officials in Calgary on Monday.
