Federal NDP leader Avi Lewis sought to ease concerns about fossil fuel job losses during a stop in Regina’s Cathedral neighbourhood Thursday, saying any transition away from oil and gas would happen gradually under an NDP government. Speaking outside a local coffee shop, Lewis said Saskatchewan workers should not fear an immediate shutdown of the fossil fuel industry. “I understand that fossil fuels are a big part of Saskatchewan’s economy. Nobody is talking about shutting things down tomorrow. I have literally never said that,” Lewis said. He promoted renewable energy development and pointed to growing battery storage capacity in jurisdictions like California as evidence global energy systems are changing. “In California at peak electricity times, they are running almost half their grid on batteries,” he said. “The world is moving on and we are not doing fossil fuel workers any favours by sticking our head in the sand and pretending that we can keep expanding oil and gas forever.” Lewis’ visit comes as Carla Beck continues to distance herself from the federal NDP leader over energy policy differences, particularly around oil and gas development. No meeting between Lewis and Beck was scheduled during the Regina stop. However, Lewis said the two still agree on many affordability and public policy issues. “We have some differences of visions, but we are aligned on so many things,” he said, referencing criticism of SaskPower’s long-term coal refurbishment plans. Lewis added he spoke with Beck a couple of weeks ago and said despite disagreements over energy policy, both share priorities around helping Saskatchewan residents manage rising costs.
