VANCOUVER — Megan Gordon, senior analyst with the Equitable Transition program at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the passage of Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act.
"Canada has the workforce and innovation to thrive in the net-zero economy. The passing of Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, puts in place the needed frameworks to align Canada’s approach to workforce, regional, and economic development with our climate goals. Climate policy is economic policy, and we are confident that the Act, with proper implementation, sets up Canadians to take advantage of the opportunities of a net-zero economy.
"We recognize that the Senate of Canada’s passing of Bill C-50 is the culmination of thousands of hours of hard work over many months—by Senators, members of Parliament, cabinet ministers and their policy advisors, civil servants, and the labour groups and ENGOs who advocated successfully and worked hard on amendments to strengthen the bill.
"The Pembina Institute and partners have been following the progress of this Bill, working alongside decision-makers to make improvements, and are pleased with its current state.
"We believe that Bill C-50 now contains many essential provisions to help Canada thrive in a future in which demand for zero emission energy sources grow, oil demand starts to decline and economies shift to align with cost-effective net-zero strategies.
"The creation of the Partnership Council defined in the Act will ensure that workers, Indigenous people, industry representatives and other experts are able to provide direct input into the policy making process. The creation of five-year action plans holds the federal government to account in ensuring there are transparent and coordinated efforts to align climate plans with its plans for people and the economy.
"The Pembina Institute has worked closely with the Canadian Labour Congress to develop a Sustainable Jobs Blueprint—research and solutions-based policy recommendations for bringing workers to the table as leaders in the new net-zero economy. Modeling conducted for this Blueprint shows that there will be two million jobs in clean energy in net-zero economy by 2050. This is a future with real opportunities for workers, but we need to plan to make it happen. That planning starts now."
[30]
Contact
Communications Manager
Responsable des relations médias francophones
Pembina Institute
587-606-4185 or 438-878-1703
