After a rocky 2015, Canada needs a job creation and just transition plan more than ever
January 8, 2016
Today Statistics Canada released its December 2015 Labour Force Survey results, and while they appear to show improvement, the Canadian Labour Congress warned that our medium-term economic situation is still precarious. 2015 was a rocky year for jobs, and trends show 2016 could be even worse without government action. Over 2015, employment only grew by 0.9 percent, and most of…
Collaborative approach will be key to realizing Canada’s climate change obligations
December 12, 2015
The Paris COP21 Climate Change Summit has culminated in an agreement that commits governments to the long-term goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by the second half of this century. The agreement mandates reviews of emission reduction plans starting in 2018, signalling a commitment by all countries to phase out fossil fuels and reduce emissions to zero by the…
November job numbers show Canada’s economic situation remains precarious
December 4, 2015
Statistics Canada’s most recent Labour Force Survey results are cause for concern, as they demonstrate a continuing, precarious economic situation. Employment fell by 36,000 jobs in November, and the unemployment rate rose to 7.1 per cent. Nova Scotia and Manitoba saw massive increases in unemployment. Saskatchewan was the only province to see any job gains this month. “Looking at these…
The Transition In order to begin making the transition over the next 10 years, we maintain the federal government needs to develop a renewable energy development strategy. During this period, public investments totalling $4.65 billion need to be made to simulate the development of renewable energy sources with a priority being put on public sector owned and operated wind, solar, geothermal,…
Green Homes – real Alternatives for a Green Economy
April 24, 2015
Real initiatives – Green Homes and Green Buildings Canada is cold in the winter and only 10 per cent of our buildings are energy efficient. Green Homes and Green Buildings is about making what we have as efficient as possible, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Improving energy efficiency is a clean, inexpensive and prudent step that can pay for itself…
Overview and context Budget 2015 sticks closely to the federal government’s seven-year script of spending cuts, restrained investment and tax measures largely benefiting wealthy Canadians. The 2015 budget has been advertised as the return to balance after 7 years of deficits, a period of red ink prolonged by massive tax cuts that further weakened an already sluggish recovery and added…
About the Green Economy Network Imagine environmental groups, labour organizations and social justice and youth movements working together to find real solutions to tackle climate change. Wouldn’t that be cool? Well, that’s exactly what the Green Economy Network is. Spurred by Canada’s failure to take action to move toward an authentic green economy, leaders of more than twenty prominent groups formed…
All we want for earth day is a government that prioritizes the creation of quality green jobs in the clean energy sector. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is working with environmental organizations to make this happen. In the coming federal election, we will be asking the parties what they will be doing to create green jobs for thousands of Canadians…
Prime Minister Harper will not attend the UN Climate Summit, and it’s a good thing
September 19, 2014
Ottawa – Donald Lafleur World leaders were invited by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to New York to attend a Climate Summit on September 23rd. The one-day event will serve to launch international climate negotiations. The Heads of State will meet to discuss actions taken by their countries in order to phase-out fossil-fuel-based economies and to promote the finalization…