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Last week, Canada’s government introduced the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act in the House of Commons. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a framework by which the government will plan for and assist Canada’s workforce in transitioning to a new, more sustainable economy.

The Act functions by requiring that a minister - whichever one the government thinks best suited to the task - be made responsible for delivering a “Sustainable Jobs Action Plan” every five years, with the first plan being due by December 31, 2025.

Each plan must:

• establish sustainable jobs support programs and policies;

• identify plan goals and milestones;

• summarize “available data related to economic growth and the labour market in a net-zero economy”; and

• detail progress made in achieving the milestones of previous plans, as applicable.

The Act also calls for the creation of a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council to consist of a maximum 15 members who “reflect Canada’s diversity”. The council will advise the responsible minister on strategies “to encourage growth in good-paying, high-quality jobs…in a net zero economy”, with such advice being incorporated in the creation of each plan.

The minister responsible for creating and implementing the Sustainable Jobs Action Plan must publish annual reports containing the council’s advice, as well as the minister’s response to such advice.

Lastly, the Act calls for the creation of a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to provide administrative and advisory support with the implementation of each plan.

Despite the ruling Liberal Party’s strenuous efforts to reassure the fossil fuel industry that the Act does not intend, and will not bring about, the industry’s (eventual) decline and demise anytime soon, the industry and ardent supporters like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have nonetheless sought to depict and wage political warfare against the bill as an existential threat to Canadian oil and gas.

In reality, the proposed legislation is a largely procedural planning and accountability measure similar in form to the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.

Please contact our firm at 647-725-4308 or info@greeneconomylaw.com for legal assistance in connection with sustainability policy matters.