By Troy Gillard

5,200 ALBERTA JOBS TO BE MAINTAINED

Trudeau announces energy sector help, including $1.7B to clean up orphan wells

Apr 17, 2020 | 9:45 AM

Support is coming for Alberta’s beleaguered energy sector.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $1.7 investment to clean up orphans and inactive wells in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C.

“Our goal is to create immediate jobs in these provinces while helping companies avoid bankruptcies,” said Trudeau.

The investment is expected to create 5,200 jobs in Alberta alone.

Trudeau said that not only will the investment help the energy sector directly but also the agriculture sector.

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“Think of the farmer who can’t grow anything on his land because of an abandoned well a few steps away from her home,” Trudeau said.

The wells are detrimental to health and the environment, said Trudeau and that the country can help the environment at the same time as fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thank you to the Prime Minister and the fed govt for announcing $1.7 billion to accelerate cleanup of orphaned and abandoned wells in Canada’s energy sector. This is critical to getting thousands of people in the energy sector back to work immediately,” tweeted Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.

“Also encouraging to hear of new measures to enhance credit support for mid-sized energy companies. We look forward to reviewing the details of this support in the days ahead,” Kenney added.

Trudeau also announced a plan to create a $750 million Emission Reduction Fund, with a focus on methane. Jobs will be maintained and created through pollution reduction.

A portion of the fund, $75 million, is specific for the offshore oil industry Newfoundland and Labrador to cut emissions.

“Just because we’re in a health crisis doesn’t mean we can neglect the environmental crisis,” Trudeau said.

Speaking from Rideau Cottage, Trudeau also announced a new support for small business and $500 million for Heritage Canada to support the arts, culture and sport sector.

“From the start our goal as a government has been clear – to help all Canadians get through these trying times, standing shoulder to shoulder,” he said.

(With file from Chris Brown, CHAT News Today)