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, also known as the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, aims to create a framework for Canada's transition to a net-zero economy. The bill outlines principles for economic development and climate action, establishes a partnership council with representatives from various sectors to advise the government, requires five-year action plans, creates a sustainable jobs secretariat, and designates ministerial responsibilities. It seeks to ensure workers are supported and involved in the shift towards sustainable jobs while aligning with international best practices.

Liberal

Supports Sustainable Jobs Act: The speaker is frustrated by the Conservative opposition's obstruction of Bill C-50, the Canadian sustainable jobs act, which aims to empower workers and address climate change.
Empowering workers: The bill establishes a sustainable jobs partnership council, requires action plans, and creates a secretariat to coordinate implementation across the federal government, ensuring workers have a say in the path to a net-zero future.
Seizing global opportunities: The Sustainable Jobs Act is viewed as a way to unlock opportunities, commit to global opportunities in sustainable jobs, and ensure workers are involved in fighting climate change and addressing natural disasters.
Good-paying jobs in future: The act aims to help workers chart the course to find good-paying jobs, including those in nuclear energy and clean technologies, while supporting the development of a skilled labor force.

Conservative

Bill is anti-Canadian: The Conservative party believes that Bill C-50 is anti-energy, anti-capitalist, and anti-Canadian. They believe it will hurt Canadians and disrupt the livelihoods of millions.
Job losses: The Conservatives claim the bill will threaten 2.7 million jobs in various sectors, and that it amounts to a top-down economic restructuring that will redistribute wealth.
Undemocratic process: The Conservatives criticize the limited debate and lack of consultation with Canadians affected by the bill, accusing the NDP-Liberals of blocking witnesses and rushing the bill through committee.
Missed amendments: The Conservatives highlight that the NDP-Liberals rejected amendments aimed at ensuring affordable energy, promoting economic growth, and supporting indigenous communities.

NDP

Supports workers' transition: The NDP supports the bill as a means to ensure workers, environmental groups, and Indigenous peoples have a voice in the economic transition. The bill aims to address the changing job market and the impact on communities.
Criticizes Conservative opposition: The NDP criticizes the Conservative party for what they view as obstructionist tactics, including introducing numerous amendments and attempting to silence witnesses, hindering progress on a crucial bill.
Denounces climate denial: The NDP accuses climate deniers, including those within the House of Commons, of attacking facts and silencing voices, leading to a campaign of disinformation and hindering efforts to address the climate crisis.
Oil companies' disinformation: The NDP highlights evidence of oil companies like Exxon and Shell knowingly spreading disinformation about climate change, prioritizing profits over environmental responsibility, and potentially facing lawsuits for failing to warn about climate-related harms.

Bloc

Against Bill C-50: The Bloc Québécois will be voting against Bill C-50 because it is not actually about a just transition, but rather "sustainable jobs". The Bloc believe the term "just transition" more accurately reflects the bold measures that need to be taken immediately to deal with climate change.
Asymmetrical agreement: The Bloc cannot support the bill because the federal government abandoned the asymmetrical agreement on workforce management between Quebec and Ottawa. Quebec has the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail, which allows Quebec society to hold debates between the government, the major unions and employers, and the Bloc feels that this commission should have been given a more important role.
Oil sector stranglehold: Canada is in the oil and gas industry's economic stranglehold, and the government's strategies, such as blue hydrogen and low-carbon oil, are flawed. The Bloc believes that it is unfeasible to use carbon capture and storage technologies for the volumes that the government is talking about, and that it is impossible to produce low-carbon oil.

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Canadian Sustainable Jobs ActGovernment Orders

April 15th, 2024 / 7:10 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)