Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act Marks Progress, But Must Be Strengthened

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the draft Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, acknowledging it as a positive step for the just transition while calling for specific amendments to strengthen accountability and support for workers and Indigenous Peoples.

• The draft Sustainable Jobs Act establishes the Sustainable Jobs Secretariat and Partnership Council as legislative governance bodies to coordinate government efforts. The IISD emphasizes that the Partnership Council requires broad representation, including Indigenous Peoples, affected communities, and both organized and unorganized labour.
• The IISD argues that the legislation must be strengthened by moving key principles—including Canada's climate commitments, Indigenous rights, and inclusion—from the preamble into the main body of the bill to ensure certainty and accountability.
• The IISD identifies four critical gaps that require amendments: the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples as equal partners in decision-making; explicit references to the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act and climate commitments to align job creation with the move away from fossil fuels; the creation of regional just transition planning mechanisms; and the implementation of support programs for workers, such as relocation supports, pension bridging, and expanded employment insurance.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2023). Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act Marks Progress, But Must Be Strengthened. https://www.iisd.org/articles/statement/canada-sustainable-jobs-act

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act Marks Progress, But Must Be Strengthened. 2023. https://www.iisd.org/articles/statement/canada-sustainable-jobs-act.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act Marks Progress, But Must Be Strengthened |date=15 June 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/statement/canada-sustainable-jobs-act |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2023canadas, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act Marks Progress, But Must Be Strengthened}}, publisher = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/statement/canada-sustainable-jobs-act}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }