November 10, 2017
“The Coal Association of Canada is pleased that the Government of Alberta is beginning to acknowledge the uncertainties facing coal workers as their industry is shut down. These workers and communities have been waiting for two years for answers, so the release of the panel’s recommendations and the announcement of the Coal Workforce Transition Fund is a step in the right direction. However, we are concerned that focusing all efforts on transitioning workers out of the industry could result in an under-supplied coal workforce and have potential negative impacts on the production and delivery of coal as a fuel source for generation. We encourage the Government of Alberta to work directly with coal mining companies, as they have with the utility companies, to ensure stable production during the transition to natural gas and renewables over the next decade. The Coal Association of Canada is looking forward to hearing more details on this and the implementation of the panel’s other recommendations.”