Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act Becomes Law

Ottawa – 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.

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, while creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.