“The Site Rehabilitation Program has been a resounding success for Alberta. More than $780 million in grant funding has already been allocated to more than 500 Alberta-based companies, creating more than 3,700 jobs for hard-working Albertans.
“More than 18,800 wells have been approved for abandonment work and more than 9,600 have been approved for reclamation. Up to $1 billion of federal oil and gas relief funding will ultimately help put Albertans to work by speeding up well, pipeline and site closure efforts in the energy sector.
“With more work to do, Alberta requested that the previous timelines be extended, and is pleased that the federal government granted an additional 45 days for the Site Rehabilitation Program. This will allow a little more time for the processing of applications received by March 31, and will provide a few extra weeks for companies to carry out clean-up work.
“The program is benefiting workers and families. It’s providing jobs and other economic benefits to Indigenous communities as well as capacity building, and environmental cleanup across the province. A recent report by the Office of the Auditor General also gave a positive review of the program, and I’ve heard from many operators, landowners and Albertans who’ve benefited from it.
“We will continue to work with the Industry Advisory Committee and Indigenous Roundtable to review the progress of the program with this extension. This program would not have been as successful without their feedback and support.
“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the licensees and the oilfield service workers. Their partnership helped keep workers employed during a downturn and ensured that Alberta would have the capacity in the province when the economy started to rebound. We will always stand up for the energy sector and the hard-working Albertans who work in it.”