Alberta announced a $40-million Coal Workforce Transition Fund November 10 to provide income support to workers transitioning from working in Alberta’s thermal coal mines and coal-fired power plants to new jobs or retirement.
The province is requesting that the federal government immediately create new flexibility criteria in the federal Employment Insurance (EI) program that would allow workers to receive these income supports without reducing their EI payments – and to also extend the duration of EI benefits for coal workers.
In addition to the Coal Workforce Transition Fund, the Government of Alberta will provide workers with:
• Direct support from facilitators with Alberta Labour who will meet with workers, their unions and employers to connect them with the supports that work best for them.
• Tuition vouchers to help cover costs related to post-secondary education, such as tuition, books and mandatory fees.
• Third-party retraining programs that provide employment placement, job matching and options for work exposure.
• A variety of professional certification courses.
The new initiatives for workers are in addition to the recently announced Coal Community Transition Fund, which supports locally led projects that focus on regional partnerships and economic diversification in Alberta’s coal communities. Both initiatives are part of the Alberta government’s response to recommendations from the Advisory Panel on Coal Communities.
Christina Gray, Minister of Labour, said, “To all Alberta coal workers: we have your back. We know the move away from coal has created a lot of uncertainty, and that’s why we are working with you to make sure you have new opportunities to build a good life for yourselves and your families in your communities. Our government stands ready to support you.”
The province noted that it has “commissioned the coal panel’s work following the Coal Transition Report from energy expert Terry Boston, CEO emeritus of PJM Interconnection. Based on his recommendations, the Alberta government reached agreements last year that ensure power companies:
• fulfil their existing and future legal obligations to affected employees, including severance and pension obligations
• keep their head offices in Alberta
• continue to generate power for Alberta’s electricity market.”