(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Chris Brown (CHAT News TODAY)

$1B site rehabilitation program

WATCH: Premier Kenney announces actions to support economy and energy sector

Apr 24, 2020 | 10:43 AM

Premier Jason Kenney announced today Alberta’s Site Rehabilitation Plan, an initiative that will put 5,300 Albertans to work remediating wells, pipelines, and oil and gas sites.

The program will launch on May 1.

“We will be moving as quickly as we possibly can to turn that money into jobs in communities across Alberta,” said Kenney. “Particularly putting back to work great oilfield service workers who have been laid off and throwing a critical lifeline to the service sector those small companies up and down this province who in many areas are the lifeblood of the economy of rural Alberta.”

The $1 billion initiative comes from the announcement made a week ago today by the national government, Kenney said.

The first $100 million will be available for service companies to do work anywhere in the province, with future increments to be allocated to specific regions.

NO RISK TO PUBLIC

Red Deer RCMP advise of heavy police presence on Alberts Close

1h ago

Icy Roads

RCMP says travel not recommended on QEII north of Red Deer

Dec 21, 2024

University Magazine

RDP ranked 17th among top culinary schools in Canada

Dec 21, 2024

Individual contracts will be worth up to $30,000 for projects related to inactive wells and pipelines, including remediation and reclamation, the removal of abandoned in-place pipelines, and first and second phases of environmental site assessments.

This is all in addition to both levels of government investing a combined $300 million into the Alberta Orphan Well Association, which will run its own program.

Kenney gave more details on the province’s role in the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The province will invest up to $67.2 million, the maximum possible, and the federal government will invest $267 million.

The program, to be run by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is expected to be running by the middle of next month.

Kenney said more details will follow.

The premier added the province will also participate in the temporary salary top-up for low-income essential workers, another cost-share program between federal and provincial governments.

Kenney also spoke about the work being done with energy and government officials in the U.S. about a co-ordinated efforts to develop a North American energy strategy.

He said the discussions underscore the central importance of Alberta’s relationship with the United States.

“We export over $100 billion of goods to the U.S. every year. Nearly 90 per cent of Alberta’s global exports go to one country, the United States.”

Today’s livestream is below:

(with file from Chris Brown/CHAT News TODAY)