More than $5.6 million in new federal funding will help Alberta communities attract investment, create jobs and transition towards a greener economy

January 17, 2022 – Edmonton, Alberta – Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

As Canada continues to shift away from coal-fired power to protect our climate and create a more sustainable economy, the Government of Canada, through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), is investing in communities affected by the coal transition. Moving to a low-carbon economy is good for the environment, good for the economy, and will benefit all Canadians. The Government of Canada understands that such a change must also ensure a just and fair transition for workers and communities that have relied financially on coal mining and coal-fired power generation.

Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced more than $5.6 million in support of eight projects across Alberta that will help communities attract investment, create jobs and transition towards a greener economy.

The funding is being delivered through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI) and Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF). These funds support skills development, infrastructure investments and economic diversification in impacted communities transitioning from coal-fired electricity generation.

Alberta projects receiving support through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative include:

• $2.25 million in new funding to Harvest Sky Economic Development Corporation to conduct a strategic analysis and economic diversification study that will inform future investment and business attraction activities for the region comprising Hanna, the Village of Youngstown and Special Area No. 2.
• $658,000 in new funding to Parkland County to develop a Wabamun Area Development Strategy.
• $154,880 in additional funding to Parkland County to develop a Tri-Municipal Sub-Regional Plan that will align land use, services and infrastructure services in support of the phase-out of coal-fired electricity in the region.
• $200,000 in additional funding for the Community Futures Network of Alberta (CFNA) to support workers and businesses in communities affected by the coal transition. CFNA is a community driven, non-profit business loan and business development organization made up of 27 Community Futures offices throughout rural Alberta.
• $143,917 in additional funding to the Hanna and District Association for Lifelong Learning to establish a business hub and concierge centre in Hanna.
• $87,500 in additional funding to the United Steelworkers Local 1595 to hire a transition coordinator to support laid-off coal industry workers in Wabamun.

Projects receiving support through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund include:

• Over $2 million in new funding to the Special Areas Board in Special Area No. 2 to develop an industrial park that will support industrial applications suitable to a remote location.
• $150,000 in new funding to Flagstaff County to undertake the Flagstaff County Industrial Park Feasibility Study.

Today’s investments mean more than $32 million have been invested in Alberta communities since 2018 through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI) and Canada Coal Transition Initiative-Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF).