NDP issue statement on “just transition” announcement

The NDP’s Critic for Environment, Laurel Collins (Victoria) and the Critic for Natural Resources Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay) made the following joint statement:

“The past few weeks have shown Canadians, and people around the world that the climate crisis is not something of the future, it is happening right now. Canadians have been displaced by wildfires and tornados, making their homes inhabitable. We need a government that is ready to address this problem with the urgency it requires.

Two years after they promised a just transition for oil and gas workers, the Liberal government’s announcement to start an engagement process is just more empty words from the Liberals. Canadians are still waiting for a Just Transition Act to be introduced.

New Democrats know that we cannot afford to waste anymore time. We need to act quickly to help workers transition to good jobs that will better position us to fight the climate crisis and build the economy of the future. This work needs to be done alongside First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities, working as equal partners in job creation and infrastructure investments that deal with climate change.

Canadians deserve a government that is on their side, that won’t just talk a good talk but will make life better for workers and their families. They need a government that is concerned about climate change, not one that buys pipelines.”