Skip to main content
Start of content
Start of content

441-00707 (Employment and labour)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED

Whereas:

  • Canada has signed on to the Paris Agreement, which includes in its text the principle of a Just Transition;
  • It is the government's responsibility to ensure a fair deal for oil and gas workers who, by no fault of their own, are losing their jobs as the Canadian economy transitions to renewable energy;
  • The skills of oil and gas workers can easily be transitioned to jobs in renewable energy with the proper allocation of resources; and
  • Employment in the sector of renewable energy has already surpassed rates of employment in oil and gas, and continues to grow.

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:

  • Working alongside oil and gas workers, create a plan for a Just Transition for oil and gas workers in Canada and include in it the 10 recommendations put forward by the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities.

Response by the Minister of Natural Resources

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P.

The Government of Canada is focused on building a net-zero economy that creates new economic opportunities, good jobs and sustainable prosperity for communities in all regions of the country, as well as new technologies and innovations that can be used at home and exported abroad.

Putting people and communities at the centre of Canada’s climate actions and economic investments is key to achieving an inclusive clean energy transition; there is no low-carbon economy without skilled and well-trained workers.

That is why the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring a just transition through the creation of sustainable jobs in every region of Canada and is committed to moving forward with comprehensive action – including legislation – to create sustainable jobs across the country.

On June 1, 2022, Minister Wilkinson launched the Regional Energy and Resource Tables. The goal of these tables is to identify and pursue key regional economic opportunities presented by the global transition to net-zero, in collaboration with provinces and territories, as well as Indigenous partners, labour partners, industry, municipalities, and experts. The pursuance of these opportunities will create sustainable jobs across Canada.

Already, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is supporting job growth through ambitious projects and programs in energy, forestry and mining across Canada. NRCan is also working with Employment and Social Development Canada to look at growth areas in natural resource sectors and other key sectors to retrain workers in high-emissions industries and to address labour market shortages in emerging areas.

The 2022 federal budget announced actions that will deliver approximately 500,000 training and job opportunities for Canadians, enabling them to take advantage of new opportunities, including in clean energy sectors. These investments include the $960 million Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program that will help both workers and employers by supporting solutions to address current and emerging workforce needs. In addition, the Government is working on its commitment to launch a Green Jobs Training Centre to help workers across key sectors and occupations, improve or gain new skills in order to be on the leading edge of the zero-carbon industry.

In July 2021, NRCan launched a consultation process to inform the development of legislation in support of these efforts. Canadians were invited to provide comments on just transition proposals. Over 30,000 email submissions were received. In addition, 17 roundtable sessions were held with a range of stakeholders, including workers and labour partners, industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, youth, and experts in skills, training, and diversity and inclusion.  The government is also in discussions with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to understand their views.

Canada has what it takes to thrive in a low-carbon world. While transforming Canada’s energy systems will take time, the Government remains committed to taking bold action to decarbonize its energy and natural resources sectors and build a cleaner, more prosperous economy that works for everyone.

Presented to the House of Commons
Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
September 26, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00707)
Government response tabled
November 14, 2022
Photo - Elizabeth May
Saanich—Gulf Islands
Green Party Caucus
British Columbia

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.