OTTAWA - As climate leaders and advocates from around the world gathered in Dubai to take stock of the progress in the fight against climate change, the NDP and Liberal party bowed down to Conservative interests and accepted to delay the implementation of the Sustainable Jobs Act by 15 years.
Leaders and caucus of the Green Party of Canada (GPC) say the delay of an act which aims "to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy" is a complete and utter betrayal of young Canadians’ futures.
"As the rest of the world moves on to free itself from fossil-fuel driven jobs and invests heavily in renewables, two so-called progressive parties decided to bow to oil-addicted Conservative interests by further delaying the inevitable," said Jonathan Pedneault, GPC Deputy Leader. "In doing so, they’re harming future generations who should be entitled to rely on their government’s foresight and care to plan for a brighter future."
Following an arduous eight-hour meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee on December 6, which concluded after 2:30 a.m. on December 7, nearly 20,000 amendments proposed by the Conservatives ended up significantly impeding the bill's advancement. Among them was an amendment delaying the preparation of the Sustainable Jobs Action Plan by 15 years, from 2025 to 2040.
The adoption of these numerous amendments during the late-night session, in defiance of established rules and at a time when Minister Guilbeault and key climate champions were in Dubai, raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of this legislative process.
"It is totally outrageous," said Elizabeth May, GPC Leader. "The irony of course is that due to COP28 in Dubai, key MPs could not get into the meeting that day. This is a dereliction of duty."
In the face of unprecedented climate and economic challenges, the Green Party decries the extensive amendments to Bill C-50, which they say essentially gutted the bill at the last hour, and find particularly concerning considering the importance of transition to green energy and green jobs as well as the future of the oil and gas sector.
"Delaying the Bill’s action plan until 2040 is reckless and wastes the time of all who provided valuable input to ensure these important climate related job measures would be put in place," said Mike Morrice, MP for Kitchener Centre. "Rather than advancing meaningful policy, C-50 now seems to be more about checking off an item in the Liberal/NDP supply and confidence agreement, issuing a press release, and hoping no one realizes how empty the bill really is.”
#####
For more information or to arrange an interview :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press secretary
514-463-0021