Canada Is Burning:
After tens of thousands demanded a Just Transition, the Trudeau government finally announced the Sustainable Jobs Act. Unfortunately, the legislation leaves much to be desired. It has no specificity, no urgency, and does not refer to a "just transition" once. Worst of all, it leaves the door wide open for fossil fuel industry influence. Let’s make it clear to Trudeau and his ministers: Big Oil has no place in the plan for a sustainable future.
Instead, let’s build a plan that is led by communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers.
Dear Prime Minister and Ministers, Big Oil has no place in the plan for a better future.
We are in a climate emergency. We just suffered through the worst wildfire "season" in Canada's history. Millions of people were exposed to toxic smoke and tens of thousands were evacuated from their homes. We call on your government to take this crisis seriously.
The most important first step you can take is to strengthen the Sustainable Jobs Act by taking these actions:
Don’t give Big Oil a seat on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council, which will advise Ministers on the plan — instead prioritize the voices of workers, Indigenous peoples, and climate-impacted communities.
Accelerate the timeline and define "sustainable jobs" to ensure they will enable a just transition to 100% renewable energy while urgently decarbonizing our economy in line with science. There are no sustainable jobs in fossil fuels or false solutions.
Ensure justice for all by following Indigenous leadership, resourcing community-based climate solutions, and ensuring "sustainable jobs" offer decent, unionized work.
The Sustainable Jobs Act is just the first step. Moving forward, we’re calling on you to act urgently to deliver a Just Transition to 100% renewable energy that leaves no one behind.
