February 17, 2023 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada
Canada has what it takes to be a clean energy and technology supplier of choice in a net-zero world.
A net-zero emissions economy represents significant opportunities for Canadians - to secure and create jobs, to grow our industries, and to lead the world with the resources and technologies it will need for generations to come. With highly skilled and dedicated workers, abundant natural resources and energy sources critical for a net-zero future, and a thriving clean technology industry, Canada is uniquely positioned to seize the moment.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the Canadian economy continues to lead as the world builds a net-zero economy. With historic investments in critical areas like critical minerals, hydrogen, carbon capture technologies, electric vehicles and more, the Government is positioning Canada for economic success in the years and decades to come. Central to this ambition is ensuring that workers in every region of this country have what they need to keep leading the way forward.
That is why today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Labour, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, released the Government of Canada's interim Sustainable Jobs Plan. This interim plan for 2023-2025 sets an initial frame for the Sustainable Jobs Action Plans that will be released every five years starting in 2025. The Government of Canada's first Sustainable Jobs Action Plan will be developed over the next two years in close collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, labour partners, industry, and other key partners to guide efforts over the coming years and decades.
This interim plan defines the federal government's commitment to make progress on 10 key action areas:
- Establish the Sustainable Jobs Secretariat;
- Create a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council;
- Develop economic strategies through the Regional Energy and Resource Tables;
- Introduce a sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program;
- Advance funding for skills development towards sustainable jobs;
- Promote Indigenous-led solutions and a National Benefits-Sharing Framework;
- Improve labour market data collection, tracking and analysis;
- Motivate investors and draw in industry leadership to support workers;
- Collaborate and lead on the global stage; and
- Establish legislation that ensures ongoing engagement and accountability.
This Plan is an essential component of the Government's strategy for building a sustainable, prosperous economy for years and decades to come.
The Plan represents a first step, not an endpoint. In each of these 10 areas, the coming years will be a chance to work together with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, labour partners, industry, and other key partners to implement these 10 action areas.
Key to these priorities is the Government of Canada's commitment to introduce sustainable jobs legislation in 2023, which will include a framework for accountability, engagement and transparency. Specifically, the legislation will include guiding principles, governance structures and reporting requirements, including a requirement for the Government to prepare and implement Sustainable Jobs Action Plans starting in 2025, and every five years thereafter. Finally, the Plan includes a What We Heard Report from the public consultations that have taken place over the past two years.
This interim plan is informed by over two years of consultations and conversations with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, workers and unions, industry, environmental and civil society organizations and interested Canadians.
The Government of Canada will continue to work with workers and unions partners, industry, Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, and civil society to ensure that Canadians in every region have good, sustainable jobs for decades to come as we grow our economy and build a clean, healthy future for generations to come.
