Climate Action Network Reacts to Report by Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territories [OTTAWA] (March 11, 2018) – “Canadians know what it looks like when governments get transitions in employment sectors wrong and fail to plan for the potential impacts to workers and communities. Canada’s Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities today delivered a set of powerful recommendations that, if implemented, will ensure Canada gets the transition away from polluting coal right.

We congratulate the Task Force members on their hard work and urge federal and provincial governments to take up their recommendations.

It is essential the Government of Canada continues to invest in the world’s first national task force on just transition. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use this innovative model to prepare for inevitable and necessary changes that will happen in other greenhouse gas intensive sectors of our economy as we address climate change. Let’s make sure we plan ahead for the economic diversification that will lock-in prosperity and jobs for Canadians well into the future.

CAN-Rac is committed to working with its members and allies in the labour movement to ensure that climate action in Canada is strongly grounded in principles of just transition, recognizing the needs of Indigenous communities, workers, and communities from coast to coast to coast. Canada’s plan to phase out coal and regulate emissions from natural gas facilities are enabling steps that will unlock new opportunities to enhance climate ambition, as cleaning up our electricity system is the first step to electrifying carbon intensive activities.”

 Catherine Abreu, Executive Director, CAN-Rac Canada

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CONTACT:

Catherine Abreu, Executive Director, CAN-Rac Canada
+1 902 412 8953 catherineabreu@climateactionnetwork.ca

CAN-Rac Canada is a coalition of 100 organizations from the country that cares about how a changing climate affects people, plants and wildlife. We work to advance solutions to managing our carbon pollution through sustainable and equitable development.

Photo: Environment and Climate Change Canada