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Bill C-50

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-50
An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy
FIRST READING, June 15, 2023

MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES
91012


RECOMMENDATION

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in a measure entitled “An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy”.

SUMMARY

This enactment establishes an accountability, transparency and engagement framework to facilitate and promote economic growth, the creation of sustainable jobs and support for workers and communities in Canada in the shift to a net-zero economy. Accordingly, the enactment

(a) provides that the Governor in Council may designate a Minister for the purposes of the Act as well as specified Ministers;

(b) establishes a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council to provide the Minister and the specified Ministers, through a process of social dialogue, with independent advice with respect to measures to foster the creation of sustainable jobs, measures to support workers, communities and regions in the shift to a net-zero economy and matters referred to it by the Minister;

(c) requires the tabling of a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan in each House of Parliament every five years;

(d) provides for the establishment of a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to support the implementation of the Act; and

(e) provides for a review of the Act within 10 years of its coming into force and by the end of each subsequent period of 10 years.

Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:
www.ourcommons.ca


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy
  

Preamble

Short Title
1 

Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act

Definitions
2 

Definitions

Purpose
3 

Purpose

Designation of Ministers
4 

Minister

5 

Specified Ministers

Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council
6 

Establishment

7 

Responsibilities

8 

Composition and appointment

9 

Remuneration and expenses

10 

Deemed employment

Reports
11 

Annual report

12 

Report made public

13 

Minister’s response

14 

Report on particular matter

15 

Progress report

Sustainable Jobs Action Plan
16 

Sustainable Jobs Action Plan

17 

Amendments

18 

Consultation

19 

Progress reports

Sustainable Jobs Secretariat
20 

Establishment

General
21 

Review of Act



1st Session, 44th Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-50

An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy

Preamble

Whereas Canada has ratified the Paris Agreement, signed at Paris on December 12, 2015, which came into force in 2016;

Whereas the Paris Agreement acknowledges the need for an effective and progressive response to the urgent threat of climate change on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge and recognizes the imperative of the creation of decent work and quality jobs consistent with Canada’s nationally determined contribution;

Whereas the Government of Canada has committed to developing a plan to set Canada on a path to achieve a prosperous, net-zero-emissions future by 2050, supported by public participation and expert advice;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes that its plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 should contribute to making Canada’s economy more resilient, inclusive and competitive;

Whereas climate change is a global problem that requires immediate and ambitious action by all governments in Canada — as well as by industry, labour, Indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations and individual Canadians — and has disproportionate impacts, including on vulnerable groups and individuals;

Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to undertaking measures for climate change mitigation and to achieving and exceeding the target for 2030 set out in its nationally determined contribution that has been communicated in accordance with the Paris Agreement and in its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes that a net-zero-emissions future presents opportunities for economic growth, the creation of good-paying, high-quality jobs and the increased participation of equity-seeking groups in a net-zero economy;

Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to seeing Canadians benefit from and contribute to the building of a net-zero economy;

Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to taking action to achieve a fair and equitable net-zero economy in order to support the future and quality of life of workers and their communities, including by fostering the creation of sustainable jobs;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes that actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change will have varied effects across different regions, communities and sectors;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes and supports the International Labour Organization’s Resolution Concerning Sustainable Development, Decent Work and Green Jobs adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2013 and the associated guidelines on sustainable economies endorsed by the International Labour Organization’s Governing Body through a decision adopted on November 5, 2015;

Whereas the Government of Canada’s approach to building a net-zero economy will be guided by the following principles:

(a) adequate, informed and ongoing dialogue on a labour force and people-centered sustainable jobs approach should engage relevant stakeholders and partners, including through social dialogue, to build strong social consensus in the shift to a net-zero economy;

(b) policies and programs in support of sustainable jobs should

(i) support the creation of decent work, meaning good-paying, high-quality jobs — including jobs in which workers are represented by a trade union — as well as job security, social protection and social dialogue,

(ii) recognize local and regional needs,

(iii) account for the cultural values, strengths and potential of workers and communities, and

(iv) provide an environment in which enterprises, workers, investors and consumers can contribute to achieving sustainable and inclusive economies and societies;

(c) a sustainable jobs approach should be inclusive and address barriers to employment with an emphasis on encouraging the creation of employment opportunities for groups underrepresented in the labour market, including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, Black and other racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQI+ and other equity-seeking groups; and

(d) international cooperation should foster strengthened global efforts to advance the creation of sustainable jobs and ensure a level playing field and inform Canadian approaches to support workers and communities in the shift to a net-zero economy;

Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to collaborating with Canadian workers, Indigenous peoples, trade unions, employers, industry, business, communities and provinces and territories, which all have a role to play in building a net-zero economy;

Whereas trade unions in particular have an important role to play in representing the interests of workers in building a net-zero economy;

Whereas relevant federal entities, including those focused — at the national and regional level — on matters such as skills development, the labour market, rights at work, economic development and emissions reduction, are committed to working to advance the creation of sustainable jobs in support of a net-zero economy;

Whereas the Parliament of Canada enacted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act on June 21, 2021, and the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its collaboration with Indigenous peoples with respect to a net-zero economy and the creation of sustainable jobs;

Whereas Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on March 11, 2010, which recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others;

And whereas the Government of Canada is committed to a sustainable jobs approach that is inclusive and addresses barriers to employment for persons with disabilities in Canada;

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Short Title

1 This Act may be cited as the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act.

Definitions

Definitions

2 The following definitions apply in this Act.

Council means Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council established under subsection 6(1).‍ (Conseil)

equity-seeking group means a group of persons who are disadvantaged on the basis of one or more prohibited grounds of discrimination within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act.‍ (groupe en quête d’équité)

Indigenous peoples has the meaning assigned by the definition aboriginal peoples of Canada in subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.‍ (peuples autochtones)

Minister means the federal minister designated under section 4.‍ (ministre)

net-zero economy means an economy in which any anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere are balanced by anthropogenic removals of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere over a specified period.‍ (économie carboneutre)

social dialogue includes all types of negotiation, consultation and exchange of information between or among representatives of governments, employers and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy.‍ (dialogue social)

specified Minister means a federal minister designated under section 5.‍ (ministre responsable)

Purpose

Purpose

3 The purpose of this Act is to facilitate and promote economic growth, the creation of sustainable jobs and support for workers and communities in Canada in the shift to a net-zero economy through a framework to ensure transparency, accountability, engagement and action by relevant federal entities, including those focused — at the national and regional level — on matters such as skills development, the labour market, rights at work, economic development and emissions reduction.

Designation of Ministers

Minister

4 The Governor in Council may, by order, designate any member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada to be the Minister for the purposes of this Act.

Specified Ministers

5 The Governor in Council may, by order, designate one or more members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, other than the Minister, to be the specified Minister or specified Ministers for the purposes of this Act.

Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council

Establishment

6 (1) A council is established, to be known as the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council, whose mandate is — through a process of social dialogue — to provide the Minister and specified Ministers with independent advice with respect to

  • (a) measures, consistent with the shift to a net-zero economy, to foster the creation of sustainable jobs;

  • (b) measures to support workers, communities and regions in the shift to a net-zero economy, including through skills development, training and retraining; and

  • (c) any matter referred to it by the Minister.

Establishment of terms of reference

(2) The Minister must, after consulting with the specified Ministers, establish the terms of reference of the Council.

Amendments to terms of reference

(3) The Minister may, after consulting with the specified Ministers, amend the terms of reference.

Terms of reference made public

(4) The Minister must make the terms of reference and any amendments to them available to the public.

Responsibilities

7 The Council’s responsibilities include

  • (a) advising the Minister and specified Ministers on strategies and measures to encourage growth in good-paying, high-quality jobs — including jobs in which workers are represented by a trade union — in a net-zero economy;

  • (b) advising the Minister and specified Ministers on ways to address labour force impacts, support workers and create opportunities for workers in the shift to a net-zero economy;

  • (c) advising the Minister and specified Ministers on the collection and overall quality of data related to economic growth and the labour market in a net-zero economy;

  • (d) advising the Minister and specified Ministers on the effectiveness of relevant policies and programs;

  • (e) engaging relevant partners and stakeholders in accordance with the terms of reference; and

  • (f) addressing any matter or undertaking any activity provided for in the terms of reference or requested by the Minister under section 14 or 15.

Composition and appointment

8 (1) The Council consists of no more than 15 members, including two co-chairs, who are to be appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, to hold office on a part-time basis and at pleasure for a renewable term of up to three years.

Factors

(2) When making a recommendation respecting the appointment of members, the Minister is to take into consideration

  • (a) the importance of having members that reflect Canada’s diversity — including its regional diversity — and underrepresented groups;

  • (b) the importance of having a balance of members who represent labour, Indigenous organizations and industry; and

  • (c) the need for members who have knowledge, expertise or experience in one or more of the following:

    • (i) the key sectors impacted by the shift to a net-zero economy,

    • (ii) the types of issues facing workers in the shift to a net-zero economy, including issues related to industrial change and technological transformation,

    • (iii) the representation of unionized workers,

    • (iv) the Indigenous knowledge of Indigenous peoples,

    • (v) climate change and climate policy at the regional, national and international levels,

    • (vi) economic and labour market analysis and forecasting,

    • (vii) skills development, training and retraining initiatives at the regional and national levels, and

    • (viii) the governance of advisory boards or committees.

Co-chairs

(3) When making recommendations respecting the co-chairs, the Minister is to endeavour to recommend individuals who represent trade unions and industry.

Remuneration and expenses

9 The members of the Council are to be paid the remuneration that is fixed by the Governor in Council and are entitled to be reimbursed, in accordance with Treasury Board directives, for the travel, living and other expenses incurred in connection with their work while absent from their ordinary place of residence.

Deemed employment

10 The members of the Council are deemed to be employees for the purposes of the Government Employees Compensation Act and to be employed in the federal public administration for the purposes of any regulations made under section 9 of the Aeronautics Act.

Reports

Annual report

11 (1) The Council must submit to the Minister and specified Ministers an annual report

  • (a) in the case of the first report, no later than the date that is fixed by the Minister; and

  • (b) in the case of each subsequent report, no later than October 15 of each year.

Contents

(2) The annual report must include the advice of the Council and a summary of its activities

  • (a) in the case of the first report, since the coming into force of this Act; and

  • (b) in the case of each subsequent report, since the previous report.

Report made public

12 The Minister must make public the annual report within 30 days after the day on which the Minister receives it.

Minister’s response

13 (1) The Minister must, after consulting with the specified Ministers and other relevant federal ministers, prepare a response to the Council’s annual report and must make public the response within 120 days after the day on which the Minister receives the annual report.

Contents

(2) The response must address the Council’s advice included in the annual report.

Report on particular matter

14 At the request of the Minister, the Council must research and report on any particular matter specified by the Minister and the Minister may make public the report.

Progress report

15 At the request of the Minister, the Council must provide the Minister with a progress report on the activities specified by the Minister within 30 days after the day on which the request is made.

Sustainable Jobs Action Plan

Sustainable Jobs Action Plan

16 (1) The Minister must prepare a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan no later than December 31, 2025 and must prepare a new Plan no later than December 31 of every fifth year after that.

Tabling of Plan

(2) The Minister must cause each Plan to be tabled in each House of Parliament

  • (a) in the case of the first Plan, no later than the fifteenth sitting day of that House after December 31, 2025; and

  • (b) in the case of each subsequent Plan, no later than the fifteenth sitting day of that House after December 31 of every fifth year after that.

Contents

(3) Each Plan must

  • (a) outline how the federal government will facilitate and promote economic growth, the creation of sustainable jobs and support for workers and communities in the shift to a net-zero economy over the following five-year period;

  • (b) set out the measures that the Minister, specified Ministers and other relevant federal ministers have identified to be implemented, the milestones to be achieved by the federal entities for which they are responsible and the ways in which those ministers will implement those measures;

  • (c) include a summary of available data related to economic growth and the labour market in a net-zero economy; and

  • (d) in the case of subsequent Plans, describe the progress made towards achieving the milestones under the previous Plans.

Amendments

17 (1) The Minister may amend a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan at any time.

Tabling

(2) The Minister must cause the amended Plan to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the amended Plan is prepared.

Consultation

18 The Minister must, when preparing or amending a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan,

  • (a) take into account advice from the Council; and

  • (b) consult the specified Ministers and other relevant federal ministers.

Progress reports

19 (1) The Minister must prepare a progress report no later than June 1, 2028 and additional progress reports no later than June 1 of every fifth year after that.

Tabling of progress reports

(2) The Minister must cause each progress report to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report is prepared.

Contents

(3) Each progress report must describe the progress made towards achieving the milestones under the most recent Sustainable Jobs Action Plan.

Consultation

(4) The Minister must, when preparing a progress report,

  • (a) take into account advice from the Council; and

  • (b) consult the specified Ministers and other relevant federal ministers.

Sustainable Jobs Secretariat

Establishment

20 (1) The Minister must establish a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to support the Minister in the implementation of the Act.

Role

(2) The Secretariat’s role includes

  • (a) enabling policy and program coherence in the development and implementation of each Sustainable Jobs Action Plan, including by coordinating the implementation of measures set out in those plans across federal entities, including those focused — at the national and regional level — on matters such as skills development, the labour market, rights at work, economic development and emissions reduction;

  • (b) supporting the preparation of the Plans and tracking progress on them;

  • (c) coordinating specific federal-provincial initiatives related to the Plans; and

  • (d) providing administrative and policy support to the Council.‍ 

General

Review of Act

21 (1) Within 10 years after the day on which this Act receives royal assent and by the end of each subsequent period of 10 years, the Minister must cause a review of this Act to be conducted.

Tabling of report

(2) The Minister must cause a report of the review to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report has been completed.

Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons

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