On Nov. 22, Premier Rachel Notley unveiled the Climate Leadership Plan, based on recommendations put forth by the Climate Change Advisory Panel. The plan is one that covers all sectors, is far reaching, comprehensive and includes the following pillars: implementation of a new carbon price on greenhouse gas emissions; ending pollution from coal-generated electricity by 2030; developing more renewable energy; capping oilsands emissions to 100 megatonnes per year; and reducing methane emissions by 45 per cent by 2025. We recognize through the panel's report that Alberta's emissions are challenging to reduce for three primary reasons. First, our population and economic growth rates, as well as our incomes, have grown faster than other provinces, and emissions tend to be correlated with population, income and wealth. Second, our large anchor industries are emissions-intensive and consist of long-lived assets (oil sands plants, gas plants, chemical production, refineries, etc.) which can improve performance over time, but not as rapidly as other sectors with shorter asset lives. Finally, our choice of fuels for electricity generation drives emissions. The Climate Change Advisory panel's policy architecture is expected to reduce emissions from current trends by approximately 20 megatonnes (Mt) by 2020, and approximately 50 Mt by 2030. This would roughly stabilize emissions, by 2030, just above current levels at approximately 270 Mt. However would not meet the targets set under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions in Canada to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030... read more

Last year, STEP helped approximately 2,700 students connect to valuable work experience with approximately 1,200 employers across Alberta.  STEP is available to small businesses, non-profit organizations, public libraries, school boards, publicly funded post-secondary institutions, municipalities, First Nations and Métis settlements.  STEP offers a $7/hour wage subsidy for student hires, from 4 to 12 weeks o f full-time employment between May 1 and August 31, 2017.  Boost your workforce this summer.  Create a meaningful work experience for a high school or post-secondary student and contribute to their future career success. Visit AlbertaCanada.com/STEP  now.  The application deadline is February 24, 2017.

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Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative. It provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees to create summer jobs for students between the ages of 15 and 30. All eligible employers are invited to apply for funding by February 3. Click here to apply or visit the Canada Summer Jobs website for further details.