Strengthening Voices for a Just Transition – Saskatoon Community Dialogue
On May 25, KAIROS hosted the first of four community dialogues on just transition at the Wanuskewin Centre in Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis. The dialogue was convened as part of KAIROS’ Strengthening Voices for a Just Transition project. This project aims to nurture dialogue on the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the energy transition and strengthen the transition’s policymaking with principles of equity, fairness, Indigenous rights and sovereignty, and ecological integrity.
Beth Lorimer, KAIROS’ Ecological Justice Program Coordinator, facilitated the day, opening discussion around feelings about the energy transition and participants’ concern for the future. Jamie Kirkpatrick from Blue Green Canada provided context for the dialogue within the landscape of the energy transition in Saskatchewan and federal just transition policymaking.
In the afternoon, participants considered the future they want to see in the region with an Imagined Futures exercise. The energy transition offers immense opportunities for transformation. The exercise is intended to help us think through those multiple scenarios, and participants expressed their appreciation for this opportunity to do so with others in their region, while grounding their dialogue in their experiences and feelings
Many noted that further dialogue is needed, and more efforts required to connect with groups and communities that were not present.
Other dialogues will be held in Sydney (NS), Edmonton and Sarnia over the summer months. The project will also support a cohort of young adults who will strengthen their knowledge and skills in advocacy for a just transition in their regions. This cohort of young adults has been selected and will begin meeting for an online learning series this summer.
