Green jobs plan needed to transition economy and deal with climate change

HALIFAX – Today, the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee will discuss the need for a Green Jobs plan in Nova Scotia. NDP members of the committee requested this topic at the committee. The NDP Caucus introduced legislation this spring that would create a plan to transition the province’s economy away from fossil fuels.

“We need to deal with climate change and transition workers to clean, well-paying jobs that help us find solutions to the climate emergency,” said NDP committee member and Business spokesperson Claudia Chender. “Ignoring these issues while talking about fracking and uranium mining at this committee is the old way of doing things. The NDP is proposing we look ahead to new jobs in renewable energy, building retrofits, and continuing sustainable industries like forestry and fishing.”

A study done by Clean Energy Canada and Efficiency Canada shows that every dollar of public spending on building efficiency boosts the economy by seven dollars. It estimates that making the investments required under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change would create 4,200 jobs in Nova Scotia.

“The McNeil government needs to show leadership in making sure Nova Scotia is part of the solution to climate change,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “The McNeil Liberals and the Houston Conservatives continue to act as though climate change is an issue that only requires a tepid response. It is not. Bold, decisive action is called for today.”

The NDP Caucus agrees with the 2030 Declaration which calls on the province to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.

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