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This economic reality, combined with the actions of subsequent federal governments, will mean the vast majority of Canada’s coal-fired electrical plants will be closed by 2030.

These closures will mean a major transition for Saskatchewan’s power grid by the end of the next decade. Yet, Saskatchewan’s political leaders remain strangely reluctant to talk about what this will mean for coal workers and for the local economies of Estevan and Coronach.

In 2012, the Harper government brought in new coal-fired electricity regulations, which put in place end-of-life spans which will close many of Saskatchewan’s coal-fired units by 2029. When announcing these regulations, they stated no plan was needed to retrain or support the workers who might be impacted by these plant closures, based on their assumption that workers could be absorbed into the oil and gas sector.

At the time, Brad Wall said nothing to stand up to his federal friends in support of the coal workers who would be impacted.

More recently, the Trudeau government announced a goal of closing all coal-fired plants in Canada by 2030. The premiers from the other provinces that rely on coal-fired electricity responded quickly to negotiate with the federal government to protect good jobs and ensure a better coal transition for their provinces.

The premier of Nova Scotia secured an agreement that would allow its newest coal-fired plant the flexibility to stay open beyond 2030 during periods of peak demand. The premier of Alberta worked to ensure that regulations would allow for its existing coal-fired plants to be converted to natural gas and continue operating. Alberta went on to appoint an advisory panel to consult with coal workers and their communities to draft recommendations on how to support those impacted by the coming transition.