The Ecology Action Centre threw its support behind the recommendations of the federal government’s independent Just Transition Task Force, co-chaired by the Conservation Council’s Lois Corbett. EAC welcomed in particular the recommendations for a public, ongoing process of transition support, including local transition centres, labour market research, and funding for local research, projects and businesses in coal communities along with direct financial support, training support and pension-bridging for coal workers. Read EAC’s full statement below.
K’JIPUKTUK (Halifax) – The federal Task Force on the Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities has issued its final report to the Federal government, including key recommendations for supporting workers transitioning away from the coal power sector across Canada.
The Task Force is a non-governmental panel made up of labour unions, former utility representatives, municipal government representatives, environmental groups, academics and workforce development and sustainable development experts, all who represent or work with coal workers across Canada. In 2018, the Task Force held meetings with workers in significant coal regions across Canada, including four meetings in Nova Scotia.
“Supports for affected workers and communities, and providing the time, clarity and resources for a just transition is critical. We’re pleased to see these recommendations from the Task Force”, says Stephen Thomas, Energy Campaign Coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre. “We support the work of the Task Force, and encourage the Federal government to move forward with these recommendations to support this transition.”
The Ecology Action Centre presented to the Just Transition Task Force in Halifax in June 2018, and attended meetings with the Task Force and coal workers in Trenton, Port Hawkesbury and Sydney last summer.
The final report recommends an ongoing public process of transition support, including local transition centers, labour market research, funding for local research, projects and businesses in coal communities, and direct financial support, training support and pension-bridging for coal workers.
“It’s important to continue this process of listening to, and directly supporting the workers and communities,” said Thomas. “We support communities transitioning in the ways that make the most sense for them, and we see tremendous growth and jobs potential in the green economy sectors here in Nova Scotia.”
The Task Force’s report comes at a time when the phase-out of coal in Nova Scotia is looking more likely than ever. Earlier in March, the Federal government announced more than $2M for a partnership with Atlantic Canadian provinces to study transmission options for 2,000 MW of clean electricity coming to the region.
In December 2018, the Federal government finalized regulations for the phase-out of coal electricity across Canada by 2030. However, an agreement-in-principle exists between the Federal government and Nova Scotia for reducing emissions in the electricity sector and phasing out coal. No final agreement with emissions levels or timelines is yet in place.
“We’ve got more than a decade to get this transition right for coal workers and communities,” said Thomas. “If done right, this can become a model for other transitions away from fossil fuels and toward a strengthened, prosperous green economy here in Nova Scotia and across Canada.”
Recommended links
- Government of Canada welcomes report from Just Transition Task Force for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities
- A just and fair transition for Canadian coal power workers and communities
- What we heard from Canadian coal power workers and communities
- Corbett talks Just Transition Task Force for coal phase out
- Lois Corbett appointed co-chair of federal government’s Just Transition Task Force for coal phase out
- Conservation Council’s submissions on federal coal and gas regulations
- Smart step toward healthy, sustainable communities: Conservation Council statement on plan to phase out coal, create clean energy jobs