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“Given the fracking boom and the oil glut in the United States, everyone understands that the future of our industry depends on getting into new markets, like India and China,” she added. “But those countries are introducing tough new carbon pricing systems. In order to become a player on this world stage, we must reduce emissions.”

Doherty said Unifor also wants oilsands company executives to speak out in support of Notley’s climate leadership plan, which the union said was developed with industry input.

Conway and Doherty were joined by energy workers from Fort McMurray and Fort Saskatchewan, including Tom Horton, who works for Suncor as a heavy equipment operator.

Horton said what he likes about Notley’s plan for the energy sector is an “increase in jobs, more security, and getting our product to the different countries in the world that need it.”

Tyler Macdonald, who works for Suncor as a process operator, said he supports the NDP’s energy diversification plan.

“We need to diversify,” he said. “We can’t have all of our eggs in one basket.”

He added Alberta needs to have a “clear plan” for any dip in the economy, which he said the sector “wouldn’t have with the UCP.”

UCP spokesman Matt Solberg said Albertans won’t be distracted from years of NDP economic failure.

“Albertans will decide on these issues if they want four more years of decline,” he said.

“The solutions are to create jobs to get the economy going again and get pipelines built and we’re the only party with a plan to do that.”

Unifor represents thousands of energy workers across Alberta, the union said.

— With files from Bill Kaufmann