A new program was announced on Apr.24 to provide Alberta's energy industry with access to up to $1 billion to create jobs in the province. 

The Site Rehabilitation Program – mainly funded by the federal government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – will provide grants to oilfield service contractors to perform well, pipeline, and oil and gas site reclamation work. The government expects the program to create about 5,300 direct jobs and lead to the cleanup of thousands of sites.

Tracy Allard, MLA for Grande Prairie, commented on the program.

"This is welcome news to our province, and the city of Grande Prairie, as the oil and gas sector is foundational to our regional economy. It is no secret that Alberta’s economy has taken a significant hit with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, global recession, and catastrophic global collapse of oil prices.

"The energy sector is a strong foundation for our local, provincial and national economies. Often, small oil field service companies and contractors are the driving force of the local economy. The Site Rehab program will bring multiple economic benefits to communities such as the indirect employment created in restaurants and hospitality during this period as Alberta’s economy begins to reopen and recover after the effects of COVID-19. The work completed by this program will be done locally, working to address the issue of orphan wells across our province while getting more Albertans back to work.

"Alberta has thousands of oil and gas structures, including pump jacks, pipelines, and wells that must be properly decommissioned. This work ensures that the sites are safe for landowners and Albertans and there are no negative impacts to the environment. How Alberta and Canada emerge from the COVID-19 crisis and recession will depend on the success and survival of the energy sector. This sector is the largest sub-sector and largest job creator in our national economy. The Site Rehab program will address important cleanup in our province while also providing critical support for our oil and gas sector to remain viable through this incredibly challenging time.

"As we continue to navigate the unprecedented territory of COVID-19, I am confident with programs and investments, like the Site Rehabilitation program and our historic investment into Keystone XL, our economy can turn the corner and relaunch while maintaining our commitment to responsible resource development."