FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – STATEMENT FROM IBEW CANADA ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S SUSTAINABLE JOBS ACT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       

June 15, 2023

STATEMENT FROM IBEW CANADA ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S SUSTAINABLE JOBS ACT

IBEW Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act, which takes a worker-centred, worker-first approach to the jobs in a net-zero economy.

“Through this legislation, the Government is showing their commitment to protecting good-paying, highly skilled jobs,” said Russ Shewchuk, IBEW International Vice President for the First District (Canada). “The IBEW strongly supports this legislation and the policies it introduces to support Canadian workers and their families.

“Canada has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in clean energy and clean technology on our path to net-zero, but we need to ensure that workers and their communities are at the heart of the policy and decision-making process and today’s legislation lays the foundation for our future. IBEW members are proud to have built Canada’s energy and electrical systems and we are ready to build the next generation of clean energy and power our net-zero future.”

“On behalf of our IBEW members and their families, we thank Ministers Jonathan Wilkinson, Carla Qualtrough and Seamus O’Regan for working with Canada’s NDP through the Confidence and Supply agreement on this legislation, and more importantly, for both parties for listening to the voices of Canadian workers and unions like the IBEW.

“Nevertheless, we encourage the government to further strengthen the voice of labour on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership council. Workers deserve to have more of a presence on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership council and the IBEW looks forward to working with the Government on our recommendations as this legislation is discussed and debated,” Shewchuk added.

“The IBEW looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to build a sustainable future for Canada, where Canadian workers can look forward to the kinds of good paying jobs that can build prosperity and security for generations. This plan will ensure Canada’s next generation of skilled electrical workers will build our country to a net-zero future,” Shewchuk concluded.

###