OTTAWA,
ON, June 20, 2024 /CNW/ - As countries around
the world race to seize the economic opportunities associated with
the global energy transition, the Government of Canada is taking historic action to ensure
that Canadian workers and industries win, with the creation of
sustainable jobs across regions and sectors. That is why the
Government of Canada is investing
to ensure workers have the necessary skills and tools to seize this
opportunity and build the industries of the future, today.
Today, Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act,
received Royal Assent. This legislation will foster the creation of
sustainable jobs, support industries and communities in every
region across Canada, and help the
workforce gain the necessary skills, training and tools to fill
these new job opportunities. This is a historic step toward
ensuring that Canadian workers are at the centre of Canada's Sustainable Jobs Actions Plans, as
global investment flows toward low-carbon economic opportunities in
Canadian industries.
The federal government will support and provide leadership on
effective action focused on preparing the Canadian workforce for
jobs of the future, while seizing the abundant economic
opportunities before us today. The Act supports the government in
advancing the 10 key measures under Canada's interim Sustainable Jobs
Plan released in February 2023
and will ensure ongoing action to create sustainable jobs for
generations to come.
The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act:
- Requires the development of Sustainable Jobs Action Plans,
starting in 2025, to deliver concrete measures to advance these
goals, while ensuring an inclusive approach is followed;
- Establishes Canada's Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to ensure
effective collaboration and policy coherence across federal
entities;
- Establishes the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council so
representatives of Indigenous organizations, labour, industry and
other Canadians can engage with Canadians and provide government
with advice;
- Works in tandem with the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions
Accountability Act (CNZEAA) to ensure further accountability
and consideration of the labour implications of emissions targets
when developing Action Plans; and
- Commits the Government of Canada to regular progress reporting, ensuring
Canadians can grade the performance of this government and future
governments in this space.
Canadian workers and industries are building Canada's long-term prosperity through their
leadership in sectors from clean electricity to hydrogen, critical
minerals, electric vehicle manufacturing, low-carbon building
materials, and beyond. With the passage of the Canadian
Sustainable Jobs Act, the Government of Canada firmly commits itself to support
Canadian workers in seizing these historic opportunities today,
while creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for
generations to come.
Quotes
"Canadian workers and industries are seizing economic
opportunities as we build thriving low-carbon industries and more
sustainable communities. Today, as the Canadian Sustainable Jobs
Act becomes law, we are strengthening accountability while
ensuring that workers have a seat at the table as Canada advances toward a prosperous net-zero
future."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources
"Sustainability is a key part of our government's work to fight
climate change. Royal Assent for the Canadian Sustainable Jobs
Act is a great step in this journey. By equipping our workforce
with programs like the Sustainable Jobs Training Fund, we are
making sure that workers are ready for the jobs of today and
tomorrow."
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault
Minister of
Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
"There are so many new jobs and new opportunities in Canadian
energy. Workers want in. And they want a say in their future. The
Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act gives them seats at the table
that they've long asked for."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.
Minister of
Labour and Seniors
"Sustainable jobs are a key piece to a strong, resilient,
low-carbon economy that works for everyone. Together, the
Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act and the
Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act will ensure that the federal
government's job creation and skills training efforts align with
Canada's emissions targets and
efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 — and that workers and
communities have the support they need to build a strong,
low-carbon economy. In doing so, we must ensure that everyone has a
real and fair chance to succeed."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of
Environment and Climate Change
"An historic moment for workers in this country to finally see
their national government adopt an approach that recognizes the
disruptive nature of major economic transitions on them and their
community. The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act is not only
about mitigating the negative effects of transitioning to net zero,
and a sustainable economy for affected workers and communities, but
also ensuring they can capitalize on the opportunities it
presents."
Senator Hassan
Yussuff
Senate of Canada
"The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act sets a goal of
protecting and creating good, unionized net-zero aligned jobs,
which will support workers, their families and their communities
and ensures that workers are at the table building the plan. We
applaud this legislation, which was passed because of the agreement
between the government and NDP. For government to meet the ambition
in the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, they need to invest in
workers and in protecting and creating sustainable jobs."
Bea
Bruske
President, Canadian Labour Congress
"Bill C-50 addresses many of our union's key recommendations
by defining a sustainable job as including trade union
representation as well as a collective agreement, and includes fair
income, job security, social protection, and social
dialogue."
Lana Payne
National
President, Unifor
"Our members are concerned that the transition away from the
carbon economy could mean they may have difficulty finding work.
What this legislation does is put workers voices at the
decision-making table as we navigate the transition to a cleaner,
greener economy. Our members are already at work building that
clean economy, from EV battery plants to wind, solar, hydroelectric
and nuclear — we're already building it green. This legislation
will help ensure that no skilled trades worker is left behind."
Sean
Strickland
Executive Director, Canadian Building
Trades Union
"With the adoption of the Canadian Sustainable Jobs
Act, Canada is making
meaningful progress in preparing for the global economic
transformation already underway. This legislation will ensure
proactive planning for what is to come and that Canadian workers
and communities have a seat at the decision-making table as our
economy grows and diversifies. Today's announcement must be
followed up with swift and effective implementation — but for now
let us celebrate this hard-fought win for labour unions,
environmental groups and youth!"
Caroline
Brouillette
Executive Director, Climate Action
Network Canada
Quick Facts
- Canada's interim Sustainable
Jobs Plan is backed by significant federal investments, including
through:
- The Sustainable Jobs Training Fund (SJTF), which is investing
over $99 million to help workers
upgrade their skills and gain new skills for jobs in the low-carbon
economy.
- Historic Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) in areas
including in clean technology, electricity, carbon management,
hydrogen, and beyond. The full value of f these credits is only
accessible to those that meet certain labour requirements,
including to pay workers prevailing wages and create apprenticeship
opportunities. The ITCs are helping to spur the creation of
good-paying, sustainable jobs across regions and sectors.
- Around the world, Canadian leadership in sustainable job
creation is being recognized:
- Canada's leadership in
advancing sustainable jobs for workers was recognized in the 2024
Ministerial Communique of the International Energy Agency,
following Minister Wilkinson's high-level dialogue on
people-centered transitions.
- The Royal Bank of Canada
estimates that building a net-zero-emissions economy could create
up to 400,000 new jobs in Canada
by the end of this decade alone.
- The World Energy Employment 2023 report states that rising
demand for skilled labour will be one of the primary challenges the
energy sector faces in the coming decade. According to the report,
the clean energy workforce is now larger than the fossil fuel
workforce worldwide.
Related Information
- Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act
- Backgrounder: Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act
- Sustainable Jobs
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada