Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen is voicing his concerns with the Just Transition Task Force for coal workers and communities, which was announced recently by Catherine McKenna, the federal minister for the Environment and Climate Change Canada.
This follows the minister’s announcement in 2016 that the Liberal government plans to phase out conventional coal-fired power generation in Canada by 2030.
“It is unfortunate the government announced this task force, which is designed to discuss the impacts of closing coal-fired generators, and yet they did not even take the time to let the mayors of affected communities know this was happening,” said Kitchen.
Kitchen reached out to the mayors of Estevan, Bienfait and Coronach, which are all coal mining communities, to share their thoughts on the task force.
“As mayor of Estevan and a coal miner for 42 years, I am disappointed at the lack of discussion and involvement by the federal government in our community on this issue,” said Roy Ludwig.
“SaskPower at Boundary Dam has implemented clean-coal technology at Estevan and has been successful with the integrated carbon capture and storage of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which is used for enhanced oil recovery operations.
“We are hopeful that with this proven technology, we can continue to be part of the solution moving forward.”
Bienfait Mayor Paul Carroll also voiced his concerns.
“It’s unfortunate that the federal government has made decisions that severely impact a major industry for our community without even having visited here once. Our small town of Bienfait may not have a large population (approximately 800 people, and) we feel as though the government has us in the proverbial crosshairs, headed for extinction … it is our hope that this committee that has been formed will make an announced stop to truly get honest feedback from those affected,” said Carroll.
Coronach Mayor Trevor Schnell said people in the community are eager to learn about the options and programs that the task force will bring to the region.
“Our town of 711 people is solely supported by the workforce at the Westmoreland Coal Mine and the SaskPower Poplar River power plant, and the fringe businesses that rely on these employers,” said Schnell.
“If this task force is truly going to help ‘communities identify economic opportunities for the future, seize those opportunities, and minimize impacts in the transition away from coal power,’ then we are prime candidates for financial and economic support.”
Kitchen said there isn’t a member of the task force who has actually lived in a coal mining community in Saskatchewan, and understands the way of life. He expects the task force to come to each community affected, and to do a thorough and in-depth analysis that includes the Westmoreland Coal Company, SaskPower, affected municipalities, all unions, workers and service providers for each company in all regions, as well as the residents of the impacted communities.
“Shutting down coal power is going to have devastating effects on communities in my riding and I will continue to stand up for my constituents on this issue at every possible opportunity,” said Kitchen.
