Making Good Green Jobs the Law

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the necessity and design of federal just transition legislation in Canada. It evaluates international best practices from 12 jurisdictions to provide a framework for protecting workers and communities during the shift to a low-carbon economy, emphasizing social dialogue, Indigenous partnership, and corporate accountability.

• Canada's previous approach to the coal transition had strengths, such as a clear phase-out date and broad stakeholder consultation, but suffered from significant weaknesses. The Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities lacked legal authority to negotiate, and many of its recommendations regarding individual worker supports, such as pension bridging and income support, were not implemented or were underfunded.
• The report identifies a critical lack of clarity regarding the transition pathways for Canada's oil and gas sector. Unlike the coal transition, there is no projected or mandated timeline for oil and gas, and current modelling suggests oil production may grow until 2032 and gas until 2040, creating uncertainty for workers and communities.
• Canada lacks the strong tripartite institutions found in European countries like Germany and Norway, which codify the relationship between unions, businesses, and government. This weakness is compounded by a lower unionization rate—31% of workers covered by collective bargaining in Canada compared to 54% in Germany and 80% in Spain.
• International case studies highlight the value of dedicated just transition institutions and negotiating power. Spain established the Institute for the Just Transition (ITJ) to provide technical and financial assistance, while Germany's Coal Commission had the power to negotiate how funding was allocated and spent in affected regions.
• New Zealand provides a model for the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples as full partners rather than just stakeholders. The Taranaki process utilized a 'seven pou' framework that included iwi (Māori confederations) and hapū (sub-units of iwi), though the report notes that adequate resourcing and time are required for respectful engagement.
• The report recommends that Canadian just transition legislation explicitly link to a 1.5°C-aligned pathway and reinforce the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. It suggests the law should mandate a comprehensive just transition strategy and establish an independent advisory body with actual negotiating power to avoid 'dialogue traps'.
• Corporate accountability is identified as a necessary component of a just transition to ensure taxpayers do not unfairly shoulder financial liabilities. Proposed measures include requiring adequate notice of plant closures, reforming bankruptcy laws to prioritize workers over creditors, and requiring companies to share data on affected workers.
• The report emphasizes that funding must be proactive and nationally coordinated but flexible enough to support local decision-making. It warns against allocating funds solely to provincial governments, as this could reinforce jurisdictional issues and exclude Indigenous nations from direct funding and authority.

APA

Corkal, V., & Beedell, E. (2022). Making Good Green Jobs the Law. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-01/green-jobs-advance-canada-just-transition.pdf

Chicago

Corkal, Vanessa, and Estan Beedell. Making Good Green Jobs the Law. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-01/green-jobs-advance-canada-just-transition.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Corkal |first1=Vanessa |last2=Beedell |first2=Estan |title=Making Good Green Jobs the Law |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=January 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-01/green-jobs-advance-canada-just-transition.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{corkal2022making, author = {Corkal, Vanessa and Beedell, Estan}, title = {{Making Good Green Jobs the Law}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-01/green-jobs-advance-canada-just-transition.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }