Canada needs a
JUST TRANSITION
from fossil fuels
By this time each year, the Canadian government gives the oil and gas industry
In subsidies and other public financing, despite rising prices and massive profits.
THIS MUST STOP.
It’s time to organize for a just transition away from oil and gas for people and communities.
The climate crisis is impacting communities across the country and the planet. Change is already happening, but our government is moving us in the wrong direction with financial support for the oil and gas industry. Instead, this what change can look like:
Together, we can build a just transition – one that supports fossil fuel workers, other affected workers, and communities while we decarbonize the economy and wind-down the fossil fuel sector. A just transition must also improve the wages and working conditions of those already doing low-carbon work.
Or, we risk sustaining a world where Big Oil Execs define our future for us, protecting their profits. In 2020, the federal government gave $18 billion to fossil fuel companies in subsidies. That’s more than $34,000 per minute in corporate welfare for Big Oil execs.
And this year, fossil fuel companies are asking for $50 billion more in new tax breaks for false solutions.
Almost three years ago Justin Trudeau promised a Just Transition Act to steer us away from fossil fuels, but he has yet to deliver.
Instead of subsidies and tax breaks for Big Oil, we need to invest in our communities and our collective future.
Together, we can win a just transition.
The climate emergency is an existential threat to humanity.
It’s also a historic opportunity to build a more just and equitable future.
a just transition would mean:
Support for affected workers and communities
The transition is already happening— but its leaving workers behind. In the last 10 years, the fossil fuel industry has shed almost 60,000 jobs. A planned transition would support workers moving out of that industry into different jobs using their skills and knowledge.
Millions of good-paying jobs
As we transform our energy system and build zero-carbon infrastructure across the country, we will also create millions of good-paying, unionized jobs in the process, while raising the floor on wages and working conditions of the mostly underpaid, under-valued, and under-protected low-carbon jobs, which are mostly done by women, workers of colour, and newcomers.
Respect for Indigenous rights and sovereignty
For centuries, resource extraction has violated Indigenous rights. As we turn away from fossil fuels, Canada has an opportunity to uphold the inherent rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, including by protecting land and resources.
Breaking the corporate stranglehold on our climate policies
Big Oil has been calling the shots on our climate and energy policy for too long. A just transition would make sure that our governments work for us instead.
A thriving future on a livable planet
The window of opportunity to address the climate crisis is rapidly closing. But if we act now, we have a chance at a healthy and habitable planet – for ourselves and for future generations.
Workers, communities, Indigenous nations, and other experts are all coming together to create bold, ambitious solutions for addressing the crises of our time.
Now, we just need our elected leaders to catch up, show leadership, and have the courage to face down the greed of Big Oil executives.
We’re in a climate crisis, and our government is handing out billions of dollars of public money to the fossil fuel industry, when we could be investing in a just transition.
YES! I WANT TO STOP THE BAILOUT OF BIG OIL AND SUPPORT INVESTMENTS IN OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE.
SIGN UP TO HELP WIN A JUST TRANSITION IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
it’s time for just transition legislation that:
Reduces our emissions
by at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, and makes significant contributions to emissions reductions in countries in the Global South
Winds down the fossil fuel industry
and related infrastructure, ends fossil fuel subsidies, and moves us to a decarbonized economy
Establishes new public institutions
to support affected workers and communities through the transition, and expands public ownership of services and utilities across the economy, to implement the transition
Pays for the transition
by increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthy, and through public financing
Expands the social safety net
through new income supports, decarbonized public housing, and operational funding for affordable and accessible public transit countrywide
puts People and the planet first
by centring Indigenous peoples, sovereignty, and knowledge, and ensuring justice for workers, Indigenous peoples, migrants, and other historically marginalized communities.
Here’s how we’re working to make a Just Transition a reality:
Chip-in to support our work
The Council of Canadians is a grassroots, nonpartisan, independent organization funded almost entirely by tens of thousands of individual Canadian donors. We do not take any money from governments or corporations. Due to our political work, the Council of Canadians is not a registered charity and are unable to provide charitable tax receipts.
Chip-in now to hold our governments accountable and strengthen our democracy.
How to organize
An Organizing Workbook
Use this toolkit to:
- Strategically mobilize new MPs by collecting batches of 25 signatures on Parliamentary petitions. This is the minimum number of signatures necessary for an MP to table a petition, and the first step towards their public commitment.
- Put pressure on MPs who have not already tabled the petition by building relationships and increasing the number of groups advocating for a just transition.
- Put pressure on MPs who have already tabled the petition to take the next step towards public commitment: bringing up just transition and the petition at their party’s regional caucus meeting, and informing their constituents of their support for a just transition.
