Bill C-50

Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act

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

Sponsor

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

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 no later than 2026 and by the end of each subsequent period of 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 ten years of its coming into force and by the end of each subsequent period of ten years.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-50s:

C-50 (2017) Law An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (political financing)

C-50 (2014) Citizen Voting Act

C-50 (2012) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2012-13

C-50 (2010) Improving Access to Investigative Tools for Serious Crimes Act

Votes

April 15, 2024 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of 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

April 15, 2024 Failed 3rd reading and adoption of 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 (reasoned amendment)

April 11, 2024 Passed Concurrence at report stage of 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

April 11, 2024 Passed 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 (report stage amendment) (Motion 176)

April 11, 2024 Failed 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 (report stage amendment) (Motion 172)

Oct. 23, 2023 Passed 2nd reading of 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

Oct. 19, 2023 Passed Time allocation for 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

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, aims to support workers and promote economic growth in a net-zero economy through federal accountability, transparency, and engagement. The bill establishes guiding principles, creates a partnership council for independent advice and stakeholder engagement, mandates five-year action plans, establishes a sustainable jobs secretariat, and designates responsible ministers. However, the bill has faced criticism regarding its potential impact on the energy sector, provincial jurisdiction, and a perceived lack of concrete measures beyond creating advisory bodies.

Liberal

Supports sustainable job creation: The Liberal Party supports Bill C-50 as a means of creating sustainable jobs and economic growth in a net-zero economy through good governance, accountability, and engagement.
Guiding principles and action plans: The bill introduces guiding principles for economic development and climate action, establishes a partnership council for independent advice and stakeholder engagement, and requires the publication of five-year action plans.
Investments in clean energy: The Liberals highlight their investments in clean energy industries and initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions, contrasting this with the Conservative's approach of austerity and inaction.
Collaboration with stakeholders: The bill is based on consultations with thousands of Canadians and has received endorsements from organizations like the Canadian Labour Congress and the Business Council of Alberta.
Transition support for workers: The Liberals believe Bill C-50 will help Canadian workers transition to a low-carbon economy by providing the skills and training they need to succeed, and that the bill will put Canada's workers first.

Conservative

Oppose Bill C-50: The Conservative Party opposes Bill C-50, viewing it as a culmination of the NDP-Liberal coalition's agenda that threatens Canadian jobs and the economy.
Threat to livelihoods: The Conservatives believe the bill threatens hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs, disproportionately harming provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador while negatively impacting all Canadians.
Past failures: Referencing the failed coal transition, Conservatives are skeptical of the government's ability to manage this transition successfully, and worry it will leave workers and communities behind.
Call for energy superpower: Canada should aim to be an energy superpower providing energy security for itself and its allies around the world, and supporting innovation and clean technology to meet environmental goals without sacrificing economic stability.

NDP

Climate action urgency: The NDP emphasizes the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to clean energy, noting the economic shockwaves created by U.S. investments in clean tech and the potential for stranded assets in the fossil fuel industry.
Focus on workers: The NDP prioritizes the well-being of workers, especially those in the natural resource sector, advocating for good union jobs with strong workplace safety and health standards during the transition to a clean energy economy. They want to ensure workers have a seat at the table in discussions and decisions about the future.
Critique of Liberal Action: While supporting the Sustainable Jobs Act as a framework, the NDP criticizes the Liberal government for delays in taking meaningful action and for investing heavily in fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines instead of prioritizing investments in the new energy economy.
Competing with the U.S.: The NDP stresses the need for Canada to compete with the United States in attracting clean energy investments, citing the Inflation Reduction Act and the economic opportunities it has created. They argue that Canada must implement tax credits and policies that ensure investments and jobs remain within the country.

Bloc

Transition to green economy: The Bloc Québécois supports transitioning to a green economy by immediately stopping the increase in production of fossil fuels, gradually reducing oil and gas production by 2030, and redirecting money invested in fossil fuels to developing renewable energy and clean technologies.
Supports just transition: The Bloc supports the recommendations for a just transition law coming from environmental groups and labour organizations, emphasizing that there will be no transition without workers.
Bill C-50 is inadequate: Bill C-50 falls short of a comprehensive just transition plan, focusing mainly on workforce training committees, and fails to consider Quebec's specific labor market landscape and existing agreements.
Respect provincial jurisdiction: The federal government needs to respect provincial jurisdiction, especially Quebec's, and include an element of asymmetry in the bill to align with Canada-Quebec agreements on workforce development. Quebec must receive its fair share of funding through the Quebec government.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:25 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise with respect to this legislation and the urgency of moving forward. We have come across the worst climate catastrophe in our nation's history with the hottest summer on record. Normally, September is when fire season is over. Just this past September, in one weekend, more carbon was pumped into the atmosphere from burning Canadian forests than is normally pumped in an entire year of Canada's boreal forest fires. That is one part of the urgency.

The other part of the urgency is that just this past month, the International Energy Agency announced that the beginning of the end of the oil and gas industry is now foreseeable on the horizon. The agency is warning governments that they have to make a plan because they are going to be stuck with stranded assets if they continue to invest in an industry that can no longer compete with what is happening internationally with the rise of—

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

We have a point of order from the hon. member for Cypress Hills—Grasslands.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

Conservative

Jeremy Patzer Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK

Mr. Speaker, the member knows that it is actually government policy that is making it impossible for companies in Canada to compete internationally—

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I believe that is falling into debate.

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, I know that facts really tend to frighten the Conservatives. If they are feeling uncomfortable about facts, maybe they can get a little safe room where they can live in disinformation. I was talking about the International Energy Agency.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

Conservative

John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, in light of the declaration by the Speaker yesterday, I believe that this member is not subscribing to the decorum of the House that the Speaker requested, by accusing an opposition party of disinformation.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay can continue his speech.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, I will not be intimidated by a group of climate change deniers. I will continue to speak facts. They can interrupt me all night long—

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The hon. member for Sarnia—Lambton is rising on a point of order.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have been clear. I have stood in this House. I have talked about plans for climate change reduction. It is offensive that the member opposite is saying that we are climate change deniers.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Before we continue on debate, I suggest all members look at their phones. There is an email that would have gone out from the Speaker's office about decorum in this House of Commons to make sure that we follow those rules, try to get along better and try not to accuse people of things.

The hon. deputy House leader.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I am just seeking clarification on your ruling. Are you saying that the term “climate change denier” is unparliamentary?

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

There were lots of words in here. I just want to say that people can take time to actually review it and maybe the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay can finish up with his speech.

The hon. member for Cypress Hills—Grasslands, once again.

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

Conservative

Jeremy Patzer Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK

On that same point of order, though, Mr. Speaker, it was the Speaker, from the Liberal Party, who said that the issue was to try to get people to not use inflammatory language, which we are hearing from the member for Timmins—James Bay—

Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2023 / 4:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

That is a part of the inflammatory language that is outlined in that document.

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.