Province setting aside money to help coal workers while Alberta transitions away from coal energy
EDMONTON, AB. – United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney is criticizing the Alberta government for helping workers who are losing their jobs as the province transitions away from thermal coal mines and coal-fired power plants over the next decade.
Kenney — who doesn’t have a seat in the Alberta legislature — said on Twitter that Labour Minister Christina Gray is telling workers they have their back while killing their jobs.
Economic Development Deron Bilous fired back, noting Kenney was in then-prime minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet in 2012 when the federal government began approving regulations to end coal-powered electrical generation at some Alberta plants.
Gray announced yesterday the province is putting aside 40 million dollars to top up benefits to 75 per cent of a worker’s previous earnings during the time they collect employment insurance.