Canada’s actions to support workers and communities

The Government of Canada is taking action to support workers and communities and accelerate sustainable jobs growth in the shift to a low carbon economy.

Reducing emissions, strengthening the economy and creating jobs through climate action

Workers, families and communities have consistently been at the heart of Canada’s climate policy. Through a series of national climate plans – including the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, the first under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act – Canada has committed over $120 billion to climate action and environmental protection since 2016. This is in addition to investments across the Canadian economy to support workers in every sector and every field through programs including historic public transit funding, investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, hydrogen development, carbon capture use and storage deployment, and green buildings. Through these plans, the Government has been making foundational investments in measures to reduce emissions, drive clean growth, promote investment and innovation, and protect the environment, all of which spurs the creation of sustainable jobs.

Equipping Canada’s workforce through skills development and training

The measures announced in Budget 2021 will deliver almost 500,000 new training and job opportunities for Canadians, enabling them to take advantage of new opportunities, including in clean energy sectors. These investments include the $960-million Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program that will help both workers and employers by supporting solutions to address current and emerging workforce needs.

The program will connect Canadians with the training they need to access good jobs in key sectors, such as clean energy, where there is high demand for skilled workers. It also includes $55 million for the new Community Workforce Development Program to address national and regional priorities such as decarbonization. It will do this by helping communities develop local plans to identify high growth areas and connect employers with training providers to fill current and emerging jobs.

Investing in communities to diversify economies, create jobs and prepare for the future.

The government has committed $185 million to support coal power workers and communities. This commitment includes $35 million for the Canada Coal Transition Initiative, which is focused on skills development and economic diversification, and $150 million for a dedicated infrastructure fund. This funding was delivered in response to the recommendations of the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities, which delivered its report in March 2019.