Alberta ministers booed as they discuss climate-change plan with rural leaders

EDMONTON – The Alberta government got a bit of a rough ride at a meeting with rural politicians in Edmonton.

Deputy premier Sarah Hoffman was booed as she defended the NDP’s climate-change plan, which includes a carbon tax and a phase-out of coal-fired electricity.

READ MORE: Notley promises coal phase-out plan this fall in state of province speech 

Hoffman said it’s necessary to address climate change because the science behind it is real and there are serious health concerns tied to burning coal.

READ MORE: Alberta NDP’s plan to phase out coal could triple power bills: Coal Association 

Hoffman and other cabinet ministers fielded questions from hundreds of delegates to the fall convention of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties.

Premier Rachel Notley said in a speech that she understands concerns and debate is always healthy.

But she told delegates that a robust climate-change plan gives Alberta more credibility as it fights for energy infrastructure such as pipelines.