MEETING INVITATION – JUNE 12, 2018, 6:30-8:00 PM; ESTEVAN, SK
To address climate change, Canada and other countries have put forward commitments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and transition to a low-carbon economy. One of the measures the Government of Canada is implementing to reduce pollution is the phasing out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030.
To address impacts of the accelerated phase-out of coal-fired electricity across Canada, the Government of Canada launched the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal-Power Workers and Communities to provide the federal government with expert advice on how to make that transition a fair one, and to ensure that the federal response is aligned with provincial initiatives where these exist.
A “just transition” is an approach to economic and environmental policy that aims to minimize the impact on workers and communities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. This approach includes involving workers and their communities in decisions that will affect their livelihoods, identifying and supporting economic opportunities for the future, and helping workers and communities to succeed and benefit from the transition.
The Task Force includes representatives from labour, business and municipal government, as well as sustainable development and workforce development experts. They will hear from workers and communities affected by the coal phase-out and will engage with relevant stakeholder groups, provinces, and municipal governments. The Task Force will gather information on the impacts this transition may have on directly affected coal power workers and communities and explore the potential for new economic opportunities for affected workers and communities. They will also look for advice on opportunities to leverage existing economic development and infrastructure funds, and employment and training supports and seek to better understand gaps in existing policy and programs that could be addressed to support the transition.
The Task Force will report back to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change by the end of 2018. They will provide recommendations on what could be included in a just transition plan that enables coal power workers and communities to identify economic opportunities for the future, capitalize on these opportunities, and minimize individual and community impacts. The Task Force recommendations will also address how to structure a subsequent phase of consultation and analysis concerning just transition, specifically focused on the skills, training and other planning necessary for Canada to prosper throughout the transition to clean growth and a low-carbon economy. For more information on the Task Force: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/task-force-just-transition.html
The Task Force is visiting facilities and communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This will provide an opportunity for affected workers and communities to provide feedback to support a successful transition.
If you would like to get in touch with the Just Transition Task Force Secretariat, please contact: ec.rae-ier.ec@canada.ca