Canada's 'Just Transition?'

The Federal Government wants to hear your views on how they can implement a ‘Just Transition’ for workers impacted by domestic climate policies. ​

The Federal Government is currently engaging on Canadians on how they should transition Canada’s natural resource workers to a low-carbon economy.  

 

The engagement close on April 30th, 2022, so we need to act quick to ensure Canada’s natural resource workers are heard in the process.   

 

As Canada talks of ‘just transition’, the brutal reality of a safe and secure supply of energy has never been more apparent. Canada has some of the world’s largest reserves of oil and natural gas, providing our secure, sustainable resources to the world is one of the most impactful things we can do to help displace Russian energy –  and the revenues funding Putin’s war machine.  

 

But we need our leaders to start communicating a new vision for the sustainable growth of the industry, and not a plan for its rapid decline. They need to know Canadians support the industry  – will you help and make a submission today?  

 

Canadian oil and natural gas is some of the most sustainably produced energy in the world. If we are going to need the resources for decades, do we not have a responsibility to ensure Canada is the one meeting global demand, and not countries like Russia?  

 

If you agree, make your voice heard today and let the Federal Government know today. If you want to send your own submission, in your own words, you can do so by sending an email to: just-transition-equitable@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca 

 

Complete this form to submit a message supporting Canada’s natural resource workers:

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Our Recommendations:
In terms of its “Just Transition” Policy, the Federal

Government should:

• Recognize the important role that oil and natural gas will continue to play in global energy security and position the Canadian oil and gas industry, its workers and its clean technologies to play a global role as an energy supplier of choice.


• Focus on GHG emissions performance outcomes, be technology neutral and allow innovation to be led by experts in respective economic sectors.


• Should not lower Canadian standards of living or our capacity for investment in innovation. Canadian oil and gas jobs are some of the highest paying, middle class jobs in the country. It is not acceptable to cause the destruction of those jobs and to replace them with lower paying ones.

 

• This will hurt Canada’s middle class.

In terms of the “Just Transition Advisory Body”, the Federal Government should:

• Ensure that individuals at this table have strong economic expertise and an understanding of the innovation cycle, investment attraction and other fundamentals for job creation.

 

• Given the different potential regional impacts of federal policies, ensure that provincial governments play a role in selecting advisory body representatives.

 

• The Advisory Body should report to the Governor-in-Council and to Parliament.

Facts About Canada's Oil & Natural Gas Industry:

• The industry provides about 522,000 jobs for Canadians across the country, generates $10 billion annually in government revenues through taxes and royalties and $100 billion in GDP annually.

 

Canada produces 4.5 million barrels of oil per day (about 3-4% of global production) and we possess the world’s 3rd largest known reserves. 

 

• Natural gas and oil are Canada’s number one export commodity, accounting for 19% of the value of all Canadian exports — outpacing agriculture, automobiles and manufacturing.

 

• From 2009 to 2018, the oil sands industry reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 20%.

 

The oil and natural gas industry is Canada’s largest investor in clean technologies – 75% of the $1.4 billion invested in 2019 was supported by the sector.

 

• Between 2017-2019, the oil sands industry invested $5.9 billion procuring goods and services from over 275 Indigenous-led companies. The industry is also Canada’s largest employer of Indigenous peoples.

 

• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2020, global demand for both natural gas and oil is set to reach record levels, and these sources of energy will be needed for decades to come. The IEA recognized Canada as a leader in climate action and also projected strong growth in Canadian natural gas and oil production to meet global energy security needs through 2040, an opportunity for Canada’s resources to meet demand in global energy markets.