Industry committee  —we need industrial policy to pivot us—

Industry committee  and I think that's where we'll end up with this—

Industry committee  Who is speaking for Albertans? That's a great question. I think if we're honest with ourselves, we would say that no one person, no one group, and certainly no one party can speak for Albertans. We are, like any other region, a province of diversity—diversity of backgrounds, diversity of occupations and diversity of interests.

Industry committee  —will save our economy is completely ridiculous.

Industry committee  One of the things I'd really like the government to consider, if they move forward with the kind of report contemplated by this legislation, is the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by the American Congress over the summer. I can't stress enough for this committee how significant that legislation is for not just the American economy but also the Canadian economy.

Industry committee  Thanks very much for the question. That's the reason I'm here and the reason that we at the Alberta Federation of Labour support this particular piece of legislation. It's because it will provide a platform for consultation. That's what excites me most about it. Contrary to what we heard from one of the other committee members, we should not criticize the author of this bill for not consulting widely on a bill about consultation.

Industry committee  Good afternoon. My name is Gil McGowan. I'm the elected president of the Alberta Federation of Labour. The AFL is the largest worker advocacy group in Alberta, representing more than 170,000 unionized workers in both the public and private sectors, including thousands of people who work in oil and gas and in oil and gas-related construction.

Natural Resources committee  Yes, exactly, and specifically we're talking about introduction of what we're calling a federal just transition transfer, money from the federal government to the provinces, especially oil and gas provinces such as Alberta, to fund a transition in which money would be earmarked for projects that will actually put people to work.

Natural Resources committee  Clearly, what we really need is a plan. Mr. Railton talked about the uncertainty that workers are feeling. That uncertainty is real. They know change is happening. They know their jobs are in jeopardy. Some have already lost their jobs. Instead of just talk and hand-waving and promises about maintaining the status quo when it's clearly gone, we need a plan.

Natural Resources committee  The transition is under way, and it's having profound effects on Alberta communities and the Alberta labour market. As I said in my opening remarks, we have already lost about 40,000 jobs in oil and gas, just in one province, and those jobs are not coming back. It started out as a response to the collapse in oil prices and the resulting drop in oil and gas-related investment, but oil companies are responding to the lower price environment by automating and reducing their costs.

Natural Resources committee  Before I get there, and I will, I want to address a sentiment that I heard in your questions and the previous member's comments. I think some people are struggling, suggesting that the question we're trying to answer at this committee and in our country is whether we should transition.

Natural Resources committee  Go ahead.

Natural Resources committee  Thanks, Mr. Chair. As president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, I have the honour and privilege of representing more than 170,000 workers, in every sector of the Alberta economy, including oil and gas. I also had the honour and privilege of acting as the chair of what we called the coal transition coalition.

Natural Resources committee  The short answer is yes. I couldn't in good faith say anything else. Every industry has to do its part.

Natural Resources committee  It's a start, but as I said, in order for it to be effective, it would have to be declining over time. To your point about clarity, that's really important for decision-making for businesses and investors. As long as there's clarity, I think businesses will be able to adapt while at the same time addressing the goal of reducing emissions.