Just Transition plan for oil and gas
Petitioners ask the House to create a Just Transition plan for Canadian oil and gas workers incorporating the Task Force's ten recommendations. The government responds that it has a Sustainable Jobs Act and related plans.
Why we would sign this petition
- Creates a coordinated plan to help oil and gas workers retrain and find employment in growing clean-energy sectors, addressing job loss during the economy's shift.
- Uses the Task Force’s ten recommendations to provide an expert-backed roadmap rather than ad hoc measures.
- Builds on stated growth in renewable employment and could speed worker redeployment into expanding industries.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- May duplicate or conflict with existing federal frameworks such as the Sustainable Jobs Act, adding administrative overlap rather than new support.
- Implementing the Task Force’s ten recommendations could require significant funding and detailed timelines not specified in the petition.
- A focus on oil and gas workers alone may overlook other affected sectors or broader regional economic priorities and trade-offs.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED Whereas: Canada has signed on to the Paris Agreement, which includes in its text the principle of a Just Transition; It is the government's responsibility to ensure a fair deal for oil and gas workers who, by no fault of their own, are losing their jobs as the Canadian economy transitions to renewable energy; The skills of oil and gas workers can easily be transitioned to jobs in renewable energy with the proper allocation of resources; and Employment in the sector of renewable energy has already surpassed rates of employment in oil and gas, and continues to grow. We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: Working alongside oil and gas workers, create a plan for a Just Transition for oil and gas workers in Canada and include in it the 10 recommendations put forward by the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Signed by The Honourable Tim Hodgson, P.C., M.P. Canada is at a pivotal moment in history. Faced with global volatility, a changing environment, and an affordability crisis, it is clear that the conventional ways of doing business no longer serve us. Canada must unlock the full potential of workers, businesses, and resources to retool our economy and protect our security and prosperity. The Government of Canada is focused on getting projects built, supporting our industries and catalyzing a new era of economic growth. To deliver on these priorities, Canada has a plan to support opportunities for emerging and traditional energy industries to build an economy with good-paying, high quality jobs for workers in all regions of the country. Canada is committed to being a clean and conventional energy superpower and a supplier of choice in a low-carbon world; the Government is working hard to realize this potential, including identifying and supporting nation-building projects that will drive transformative change for our country and expand our global energy reach to those who share our values. To do so, we are engaging with workers, employers/industry, all levels of government, Indigenous Peoples, and the public to ensure the needs of Canadian workers are central to decision-making. Canada has abundant resources and with a Sustainable Jobs approach, there are incredible opportunities for Canadian workers to seize generational opportunities as our economy evolves now and in the future. Workers are the heart of the Canadian economy. Looking ahead, it is workers who will undertake the challenge and responsibility of building the infrastructure needed to expedite nation-building projects, generate prosperity from new trade markets, and become an energy superpower. We have a shared interest in supporting workers with the skills and supports needed to thrive in the jobs of today and the future, and we must work in true partnership to deliver for Canadians. Conventional energy companies are key partners in transformative change and have an important role to play as our economy evolves to meet the needs of the 21st century. The use of oil and gas will continue for many decades on the path to net-zero – and low-carbon producers will be essential to ensuring ongoing reductions in carbon emissions and the production of critical non-combustion products including solvents, waxes, petrochemicals, and lubricants. This represents hundreds of thousands of good jobs for Canadian workers. Our energy future also depends on scaling up emerging sectors. We are supporting hydrogen, renewables, geothermal and biofuels and integrating our electricity grids to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable power across the country, including in the race to power artificial intelligence. The 2023–2025 interim Sustainable Jobs Plan (released in February 2023) laid out the initial framework for the Government of Canada's approach to advancing the creation of sustainable jobs and driving clean growth. It identified ten clear actions the Government would take in the near term to support workers and communities. On June 20, 2024, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act became law. The Act aims 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. The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act includes “guiding principles” designed to increase engagement, strengthen accountability, and ground Government action in international best practice. The Act created a framework for governance, engagement and accountability that will support the Government of Canada to more effectively support Canadian workers and communities. The legislation requires the Government of Canada to publish Sustainable Jobs Action Plans every five years, beginning this year. The Act also establishes engagement mechanisms to ensure that Canadians, partners and stakeholders can contribute to the development of the Sustainable Jobs Action Plans. Across our energy and natural resource sector, we are committed to delivery, not delay. Together, we will build the infrastructure, systems and partnerships required to ensure Canada’s economy remains strong, sustainable and sovereign.