Building Momentum for a Just Transition in Canada: Perspectives from civil society

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how Canadian civil society groups—including labour, environmental, Indigenous, and social organizations—can align their efforts to achieve a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Based on surveys and interviews with 48 organizations, the study identifies core tenets of a just transition, analyzes political and technical barriers, and proposes specific actions for both the Canadian government and civil society to ensure the transition is equitable and inclusive.

• Civil society organizations in Canada identify employment security and "good jobs" as the primary core tenets of a just transition. This includes a focus on "decent work" that provides fair income, workplace security, and social protection, as well as retirement security and support for workers to plan for their future through upskilling or financial assistance.
• Equity for marginalized communities, specifically Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC), is a critical pillar of a just transition. This includes upholding Indigenous rights, remediating the legacies of colonialism, and ensuring the transition does no harm to workers in the Global South.
• There is a broad consensus that a just transition requires tripartite processes—collaboration between government, employers, and workers—but respondents note that such processes are currently weak or not effectively institutionalized in Canada. Labour organizations often feel excluded from discussions between government and industry, as seen in the Alberta coal phase-out.
• Political obstacles are viewed as more significant than technical gaps. Key barriers include political polarization, regional alienation, the influence of corporate power over the political system, and a lack of transparency from crown corporations like Manitoba Hydro and Hydro-Québec.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the urgency for a "just and green recovery," creating a public appetite for higher public investment in green technology and infrastructure. This period is seen as an opportunity to repair longstanding inequalities and exclusion of marginalized groups.
• The report recommends several specific federal government actions to catalyze a just transition, including the implementation of a Just Transition Act, ending fossil fuel subsidies, developing a green industrial policy, and supporting Indigenous co-ownership of projects.
• Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, particularly medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), is identified as a sector where Canada has a comparative advantage and potential for significant job growth if supported by political will and industrial policy.
• Civil society groups can further the transition by engaging non-tripartite groups, conducting research on green job creation, building community leadership skills, and developing solution-focused communications to increase public buy-in.
• Cultural and occupational identities can act as barriers to transition, as workers may feel a strong emotional attachment to their current roles and resist shifting to new types of work, such as solar panel installation.

APA

Beedell, E., & Corkal, V. (2021). Building Momentum for a Just Transition in Canada: Perspectives from civil society. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-04/building-just-transition-canada-civil-society.pdf

Chicago

Beedell, Estan, and Vanessa Corkal. Building Momentum for a Just Transition in Canada: Perspectives from civil society. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-04/building-just-transition-canada-civil-society.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Beedell |first1=Estan |last2=Corkal |first2=Vanessa |title=Building Momentum for a Just Transition in Canada: Perspectives from civil society |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=April 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-04/building-just-transition-canada-civil-society.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{beedell2021building, author = {Beedell, Estan and Corkal, Vanessa}, title = {{Building Momentum for a Just Transition in Canada: Perspectives from civil society}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-04/building-just-transition-canada-civil-society.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }