As part of their COVID-19 bailout package, the Prime Minister says his government's going to spend $1.7 billion cleaning up orphan wells in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C.

Justin Trudeau says it's win-win for everyone.

"Cleaning them up will bring people back to work and help many landowners who've had these wells on their property for years, but haven't been able to get them taken care of and the land restored. Our goal is to create immediate jobs in these provinces, while helping companies avoid bankruptcy and supporting our environmental targets."

Trudeau says the funding will support 5,200 jobs in Alberta.

He says the clean-up is good for the environment, for landowners and for those looking for a job.

"We've listened to the concerns of landowners, municipalities and indigenous communities, who want to make sure that the "polluter pay" principle is strengthened and their voices are heard. I want to thank the Government of Alberta for working with us and listening to their concerns."

Trudeau says the promised spending will maintain 10,000 jobs across the country.