Today, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, released the following statement on the Federal Government’s announcement on its Just Transition Engagement:
“Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcome today’s announcement from the Federal Government, to launch an engagement process on developing Just Transition legislation – an important step forward to provide sector-specific support as the economy transitions to Net Zero. CBTU is looking forward to actively participating in the engagement process to ensure our workers voices are heard.
Support for energy workers as we transition to a renewable, greener economy is something the CBTU has been strongly advocating for and we’re pleased to see Minister O’Regan and the Government moving forward on their commitment to support workers and communities impacted by this transition.
In recent years, changes in the energy sector have led to increases in layoff rates. Displaced workers then experience loss in earnings and significant difficulties in obtaining employment in other industries. Without the appropriate training, support and guidance, workers struggle to secure employment opportunities and face persistent and ongoing hardships, which in turn impact their families and local communities. As the Canadian economy transitions to net zero, energy workers in the construction industry are in dire-need of industry-specific support which should include supporting skilled labour mobility through the support of a tax deduction that will remove barriers for workers to travel to where the work is.
Canada’s Building Trades Unions stands ready to work with the Government to ensure that energy workers issues are heard and understood and look forward to continuing to work with Minister O’Regan and Minister Qualtrough on this important initiative.”
Comments on the Just Transition approach can be made through www.just-transition.ca and will be open until September 30, 2021.
