When we talk about transforming our economy to fight the climate crisis and lead the energy transition, we often talk about the means to achieve this: the “how”. However, we rarely talk about the essential element to our success, the “who”: the workers.
And right now, in Ottawa, our elected officials have the responsibility to plan for the future of millions of these people.
Bill C-50, the Canada Sustainable Jobs Act, would go a long way in this regard. However, the latter is not progressing quickly enough towards adoption.
Hurry up. We must not let down those who work in sectors destined to disappear or transform. Let’s think of the Montreal East refineries, Énergir, the Horne Foundry; so many examples of companies which will, in the medium term, have to review their activities to survive. The entire economy of tomorrow depends on it. We must therefore stop rowing against the tide and prepare for this transition.
Many of us are waiting for this law, whether it is the union movement, environmental groups, communities economically dependent on the natural resources of their region or the companies that occupy their territory. After the adoption of the bill, the federal government will have to put in place an action plan aimed at adapting the workplaces and the skills of our workforce to a decarbonizing economy. It’s not nothing.
It is urgent that we equip ourselves with this type of mechanism if we want to position ourselves well in the world market. Other regions, such as Scotland, Spain, South Africa and New Zealand, have already done so.
What skills do we need to develop? Which sectors of the future are currently lacking labor? We are whispered that the 3,000 jobs created by the Northvolt battery mega-factory could remain vacant for a long time…
To come into force before Parliament falls into the pre-election period, the bill must be passed by both houses by June. The job market and the workforce must be ready to seize the opportunities offered by the ecological and energy transition.
The adoption of the Sustainable Jobs Bill will send the message loud and clear: Canadian workers will be mobilized and ready to get to work for a society that has successfully transitioned away from fossil fuels. , which offers quality jobs and where it is good to invest.
The transition is not coming. She’s on the move. Canada must make up for lost time.