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.

Shortly before they called the election, the Federal Government launched an engagement process asking Canadians for their views on how they can implement a ‘Just Transition’ for Canadians whose livelihoods are impacted by domestic climate policies.

 

They are using the engagement to help determine principles for potential legislation as well as the formation of a ‘Just Transition Advisory Body’.

 

The engagement close on September 30th, so we need to ensure we get as many submissions in support of Canada’s natural gas and oil industry in as possible. We know opponents of Canada’s industry are working hard to get thousands of people to make submissions calling for the end of Canadian oil and gas development.

 

As Canada talks of ‘just transitions’, global energy demand is growing rapidly. In Europe, low renewable output and natural gas supply constraints are causing sharp increases in electricity prices right as their economies begin to recover. In September, spot prices for electricity reached record levels in the United Kingdom. Some countries, including the UK are turning to coal to fill gaps at high cost, while others are looking to Russia for help alleviating the crisis.

 

These are not lasting solutions.

 

So, we need you to make a submission today to stand up for the over 500,000 people and thousands of businesses who rely on Canada’s oil and natural gas industry.

 

Canadian oil and natural gas is some of the most sustainably produced energy in the world. If the world is going to demand energy and continue turning to coal, do we not have a responsibility to ensure our cleaner product is meeting demand?

 

A strong and growing oil and natural gas industry is how Canada will create real jobs for our recovery while helping reduce global emissions.

 

Will you make your voice heard? 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 – we included some of our recommendations for the government as well as some facts about Canada’s oil and natural gas industry to support your submission below the form. 

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Thank you for your support

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.
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