Playbook asked smart people from across the political spectrum for their take on the fight over the future in Alberta — whether it's called a just transition or a jobs transition or a sustainable transition or an energy transition.
We asked: Do you think a “jobs transition” is necessary in some form? How do you interpret that phrase? MIKE HOLDEN, VP policy and chief economist at the Business Council of Alberta: The term “just transition” is wildly unpopular. And not just in Alberta. Minister Wilkinson has repeatedly and publicly expressed his dislike for the term. It implies forcibly and prematurely shutting down the energy sector, ending people’s careers and livelihoods, as well as devastating communities whose economies are dependent on resources. And for good reason. Jobs in resources pay well and create enormous spinoff benefits in the community. The jobs that tend to replace them are almost always lower-paying and lower-productivity. In short, there are no obvious examples of communities that were better off after a mandated “transition” than they were before. That said, the evolution to a lower-carbon economy — no matter how gradual or rapid it is — is happening, and will displace some workers, create new job opportunities, and require new skills. The intent behind any sort of “jobs transition” should be to prepare workers for a changing future, and that’s something that should always be encouraged. CARLENE VARIYAN, former deputy chief of staff to natural resources minister JIM CARR: The energy transition and jobs transition are already happening. This has never been a notion that any one government or political leader can instigate — it’s happening all around us. Global markets are shifting, placing increased value on reduced emissions and cleaner technologies. Energy industries, worldwide, including here in Canada, have been pivoting to respond to those market demands. Canada‘s leading oil and gas companies have been among some of the first movers on the energy transition, and their workers are making that transition along with them. That’s the transition. What can government do to help? They can ensure that the conditions in Canada for investment are attractive. They can ensure that workers have access to the upskilling and training they may need in order to shift the type of work they do. And most importantly, government needs to listen to workers, and what they’re saying they need. MELISSA CAOUETTE, principal at MC Consulting and founder of Pocket Lobbyist: Alberta is a global leader in developing clean energy technologies and reducing emissions. In fact, we've had an industrial carbon price since 2008. In speaking of a need for a "just transition," the federal government's tone is patronizing and demonstrates a lack of understanding about our energy sector, all while misleading Canadians and benefiting from political polarization. This frustrates many Albertans. The federal government routinely discounts significant investments both industry and the province have made in an effort to reduce emissions. The narrative that Alberta doesn't care about the environment is old, tired and largely inaccurate. A so-called "just transition" isn't required because a transformation is already underway. SABRINA GROVER, principal at Shakti Strategies and former Liberal candidate in Calgary Centre: An energy transformation is already well underway in Alberta, and it has been for sometime.
But Alberta’s story isn’t billboards with maple leaves streaming out of gas pumps, it’s a story of the years of private sector innovation in hydrogen, electrification, carbon capture utilization and storage, and cleantech. That’s what being a global energy superpower means — innovation, growth and new ideas. What we need to support that "transition" is governments at all levels that are consistent with their messaging, responsible with trade incentives and investing with their education dollars — and that’s what the Liberals and Wilkinson are ready to do. We need people that are ready for jobs not just for the next two years, but for the next generation of energy in this country. | 
